Yelm Highway Nisqually Market Solar Project
The next time you drive through Nisqually, keep an eye out for the brand-new solar energy system on the convenience store across from the Red Wind Casino. The Nisqually Market Solar Project includes 146 solar panels across the market shops, convenience storefront, and gas carport. A&R Solar designed and installed the 65 kilowatt system.
The grant-funded installation will reduce the Market’s energy bill saving more than $488,000 over the next forty years. The solar energy produced will reduce the market’s carbon footprint by 61 thousand pounds of CO2 emissions, equivalent to planting 738 trees every year, or not driving 111,266 miles.
Founded by the Nisqually Indian Tribe in 2008 the Medicine Creek Enterprise Corporation was created to oversee the tribe’s vision for economic development and safeguard its business interests. Guided by a board of highly qualified professionals, the corporation works to enhance the quality of life of the Nisqually Indian Tribe, its members, and all stakeholders. MCEC encourages all its enterprises to work at reducing their contribution to the negative effects such operations could pose to the environment.
“The MCEC Board of Directors created a Social Responsibility Policy to memorialize its commitment to being good stewards of our land. We want to lessen the impact our buildings have on the environment and on the community,” said MCEC Director of Business Development Tony Liberal. “Wherever there’s an opportunity for us to operate with more environmental responsibility, we want to do that.”
Olympia Community Solar organized the development of the project and secured a grant from the Puget Sound Energy Green Power Program to fund the project’s costs. The non-profit has recently supported local organizations such as Homes First, Quixote Communities, and the Olympia Farmers Market to install solar energy and are currently enrolling the Thurgood Marshall Community Solar project. “Our team is ecstatic to have the opportunity to support the Nisqually Tribe’s journey towards energy independence” commented Olympia Community Solar President Mason Rolph.
“We’re excited to partner with the Medicine Creek Enterprise Corporation to provide the Nisqually Market solar project with a Green Power Solar Grant” said PSE Director of Product Development Will Einstein. “Creating a clean energy future is part of our core mission at PSE,
and we are grateful for the Nisqually Tribe and Medicine Creek Enterprise Corporation’s leadership in environmental sustainability. We are honored to support this project and its strong community impact and look forward to future partnerships.”
Seattle-based solar installer A&R Solar designed and installed the MCEC solar project. “We’re honored to have partnered with Olympia Community Solar to deliver on their mission to bring more clean, renewable energy to the communities that will benefit from it the most.” Stated Reeves Clippard, CEO and Co-Founder of A&R Solar.
A ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for Thursday, September 8th at 10am at the project site: 12820 Yelm Highway SE, Olympia WA 98513
Learn more and RSVP by CLICKING the buttons below.
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