The Church:
The United Churches of Olympia is a liberal, progressive church located between the state capitol and downtown Olympia. United Churches is excited to demonstrate that solar energy generation is beneficial, clean, and reliable to the city’s visitors. They hope this project will inspire other churches and organizations to consider installing solar as well.
The project includes 108 solar panels across the building’s roof, as well as a battery storage system and electric vehicle charging station. Designed and installed by South Sound Solar, the 42.4 kW system is capable of producing 42,000 kilowatt-hours per year. The project reduces the church’s energy bill and strengthens the community’s emergency preparedness and sustainable infrastructure.
Special thanks to Dana Leavitt, South Sound Solar, Olympia Community Solar, ChemStore, Franklin Batteries, and the WA Department of Commerce.
The solar project will reduce the church’s annual energy burden by $12,180 within the first year. This will save United Churches of Olympia over $619,980 on power costs across the next 30 years, dollars which can instead support the church’s mission and ministry in Olympia and Thurston County. The installation is projected to produce 59,000 kWhs per year of clean, renewable electricity. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s greenhouse gas equivalencies, it will offset 94,252 pounds of CO2 emissions annually. That is equivalent to the amount of carbon captured by 42.9 acres of U.S. forest land every year, or 12.2 homes’ electricity use for one year.
The solar project will reduce the church’s annual energy burden by $12,180 within the first year. This will save United Churches of Olympia over $619,980 on power costs across the next 30 years, dollars which can instead support the church’s mission and ministry in Olympia and Thurston County. The installation is projected to produce 59,000 kWhs per year of clean, renewable electricity. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s greenhouse gas equivalencies, it will offset 94,252 pounds of CO2 emissions annually. That is equivalent to the amount of carbon captured by 42.9 acres of U.S. forest land every year, or 12.2 homes’ electricity use for one year.
In addition, the battery storage system will continue to power the church’s essential appliances during grid outages, showcasing clean energy’s usefulness in emergencies.
“We’re proud to support this collaborative project that has resulted in the City of Olympia’s first commissioned battery energy storage system. The solar and batteries will support the church and its shelter for decades to come.”
-Mason Rolph, Executive Director of Olympia Community Solar.
Olympia Community Solar supported United Churches of Olympia by assisting with their request for proposal process and helping to select South Sound Solar as a trusted installer.
On September 15, 2026, United Churches of Olympia held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of the solar and battery project.
The project is funded from a grant from the WA Department of Commerce Clean Energy Community Grants program, which is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s 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 www.climate.wa.gov.
About United Churches of Olympia: The United Churches of Olympia is a liberal, progressive church that loves God, welcomes all, follows Jesus’ teachings, and engages in social justice nurtured by the Spirit. They are rooted in two Protestant denominations: the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the United Church of Christ (UCC). Since the two churches joined together in 1916, they have been one church in worship, service, and mission. UCC explicitly welcomes LGBTQIA+ folks, practices anti-racism, and recognizes that the land on which it sits is the traditional and current home of the Nisqually, Squaxin Island, and Chehalis people.
About South Sound Solar: Based in Olympia, South Sound Solar has served Washington communities since 2007. The locally owned company designs and installs energy storage and solar systems for homes, businesses, and community organizations. Its team also provides EV charger installations, solar for new construction, and service and repair for existing systems. South Sound Solar works with customers and project partners to deliver practical energy solutions built for long-term performance. Southsoundsolar.com
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