This week, as part of Kalama School District’s ongoing effort to reduce annual utility expenses and pursue long-term, passive revenue opportunities, an array of solar panels are being installed on the roof of Kalama Middle School.
The solar project is funded primarily through a General Clean Energy Grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce. In January, the Kalama School Board voted to accept the $664,603 grant, which is part of the state’s Energy Programs in Communities initiative. These grant funds are existing state dollars already earmarked for energy-efficiency projects in schools and other public institutions.
The district will contribute approximately $29,000 toward the solar project. Once operational, the new solar array is expected to generate annual savings of around $7,000 to $10,000 on electricity costs.
As the district continues to face budget challenges, including rising costs due to inflation, district leaders have been looking for creative, sustainable ways to reduce expenses over time. The solar installation, while not a short-term fix, represents a forward-thinking investment in long-term operational savings.
“This is about tapping into existing state resources to ease future financial pressure on the district,” said James Capen, Kalama School District’s Director of Business Services. “Every dollar we save on overhead is a dollar we can keep focused on students.”
The project also gives students a real-life example of energy efficiency in action, which is an added benefit to a financially motivated move.
Northwest Renewables is handling the solar panel installation, with project management provided by Apollo Solar. The work is expected to be completed later this month.