{"id":7732,"date":"2025-12-17T17:35:55","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T01:35:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/olysol.org\/?post_type=project&p=7732"},"modified":"2026-07-23T12:00:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T19:00:31","slug":"olympia-fire-station-1","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/olysol.org\/es\/project\/olympia-fire-station-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Olympia Fire Station #1"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The City of Olympia relies on the Olympia Fire District<\/a> to provide emergency fire and medical response across its 20 square miles and in support of the neighboring districts. Since 1859, the Fire District has been powered by energy purchased from its utility provider. With the completion of this solar installation in 2026, it has made the shift to generating its own, renewable energy. With no capital investment required thanks to grant funding, the system immediately begins generating savings helping to redirect public funds toward vital emergency services and community programs.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The installation includes 288 US-made solar panels across the building\u2019s roof. South Sound Solar designed and installed the 152 kW system that\u2019s capable of producing 140,000 kilowatt-hours per year. This reduces emissions, cuts operational costs, and strengthens the city\u2019s climate leadership.<\/strong><\/h3>

The project also includes a public educational display inside the station, allowing visitors to explore real-time energy data, learn about solar technology, and understand how renewable energy supports emergency operations.<\/strong><\/h3>

Special thanks to the City of Olympia Climate and Maintenance Teams, South Sound Solar, Olympia Community Solar, and Washington Department of Commerce.<\/strong> <\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The solar project reduces the fire department\u2019s annual energy burden by <\/span>$30,200<\/b> in the first year. This will save the city over <\/span>$750,000<\/b> on power costs across the next 30 years. The installation is projected to produce <\/span>140,000 kWhs per year<\/b> of clean, renewable electricity. According to the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s greenhouse gas equivalencies, it will offset 223,648 pounds of CO2 emissions annually. That is equivalent to the amount of carbon captured by 102 acres of U.S. forest land every year, or 29 homes\u2019 electricity use for one year.<\/span><\/p>

With solar now generating long-term savings and reducing emissions, the City of Olympia continues to lead by example, showing that clean energy investments can strengthen public safety, fiscal stewardship, and community resilience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Olympia Community Solar supported the Olympia Fire Department by assisting with their request for proposal process and helping to select South Sound Energy as a trusted installer. We secured a grant from the Washington Department of Commerce to cover installation costs, meaning no upfront cost for the city.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The City of Olympia honors and acknowledges the indigenous people who have stewarded this land since time immemorial and who still inhabit the area today, the Steh-Chass Band of Indigenous people of the Squaxin Island Tribe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The project was funded from a grant from the WA Department of Commerce Clean Energy Program.<\/strong><\/p>

Community Grants program, which is supported with funding from Washington\u2019s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington\u2019s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at <\/span>www.climate.wa.gov<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>

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Community Impact<\/span><\/p>

The solar installation at Fire Station #1 will reduce emissions, cut operational costs, and strengthen the city\u2019s climate leadership. With no capital investment required, the system immediately begins generating savings, helping to redirect public funds toward vital emergency services and community programs.<\/p>

\u201cIt\u2019s been incredibly gratifying to see this project grow from an idea, to a plan, to a funding award, and now into a completed project. Clean energy is not only a climate solution, it\u2019s also direct financial support for the emergency responders keeping our community safe.<\/em>\u201c<\/p>

\u2013\u00a0Mason Rolph, Executive Director, Olympia Community Solar<\/em><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>

The station\u2019s solar array also serves as a powerful educational tool. Through the new display, residents can view live production data and explore how sunlight becomes electricity, linking local innovation with tangible community benefits.<\/p>

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Collaboration in Action<\/span><\/p>

This project was made possible through the collective efforts of Olympia Community Solar, South Sound Solar, and the City of Olympia\u2019s Climate Program, with funding from the Washington Department of Commerce via the Climate Commitment Act.<\/p>

South Sound Solar\u2019s installation team brought deep local experience, ensuring safety and precision while working on an active emergency services facility. Olympia Community Solar led project coordination and grant funding, guiding the effort from concept to completion.<\/p>

\u201cThe Olympia Fire Department is proud and excited to be a partner in the community priority of protecting our climate through clean energy.\u00a0 We are consistently dedicated to finding collaborative solutions to reduce cost of emergency services.<\/em>\u201c<\/p>

\u2013\u00a0Matthew Morris, Fire Chief, City of Olympia<\/em><\/cite><\/p>

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The\u00a0Olympia Fire Station #1<\/a>\u00a0solar installation sets a precedent for what\u2019s possible when public agencies, local businesses, and community organizations collaborate toward shared sustainability goals.<\/p>

\u201cThe City of Olympia Public Works Department is very proud to have its first net zero facility. We are already working on our next partnership to hopefully install another solar array to add a second net zero facility in 2026.<\/em>\u201c<\/p>

\u2013\u00a0Eli Cole, Facility Manager, City of Olympia<\/em><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote><\/blockquote>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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About South Sound Solar<\/strong><\/p>

South Sound Solar is a locally owned solar energy provider based in Olympia, Washington. With over 15 years of experience, the company specializes in residential, commercial, and nonprofit installations throughout the region. Known for high-quality workmanship and local expertise, South Sound Solar is committed to advancing sustainable energy solutions across Western Washington.<\/p>

Visit\u00a0www.southsoundsolar.com<\/a>\u00a0to learn more.<\/p>