City Light, Seattle Aquarium start work on community solar project

Seattle Aquarium

Project will be biggest solar array at any West Coast aquarium

Seattle City Light and the Seattle Aquarium announced the start of construction today for the largest solar array at any aquarium on the West Coast as part of the utility’s Community Solar and Green Up programs.

“Part of the vision of the Seattle Aquarium is to invest in alternative energy,” Aquarium President and CEO Robert W. Davidson said. “Operating sustainably will help fulfill our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment, and this is an important step in that direction.”

NW Wind and Solar of Seattle is installing the $330,000 system, which will cover a large portion of the south side of the Seattle Aquarium’s roof. The 247 panels for the 49.4 kilowatt system are being purchased from Marysville-based Silicon Energy, promoting more green jobs in Western Washington.

Most of the panels will produce electricity on behalf of City Light customers who want to buy solar power through the utility’s Community Solar program. The rest of the panels are being installed as a demonstration project through the utility’s voluntary Green Up renewable energy program with the electricity produced helping to power the Aquarium’s operations.