Groups Aim to Boost Size of Mercer Island Community Center Solar Power Project

A Mercer Island group aims to raise $40,000 in one month for a project that would increase the amount of solar power planned for the Mercer Island Community and Events Center.

The city has been planning to install a solar array that would power the community center. The , after enough Mercer Island residents signed up for the utility company's Green Power Program.

Mercer Island nonprofit IslandVision and community group Transition Initiative Mercer Island (TIMI) say that they are raising funds to make the solar array even bigger.

"Likewise, if $40,000 is raised, this will more than double the size of the solar array, and provide a significant renewable energy resource for our Island,” said IslandVision Board Chair Callie Ridolfi in a prepared statement.

Here is the text of the information sent out:

Islanders Hope to Raise $40,000 in One Month to Fund a 10kW Mercer Island Solar Array; the Island’s First Renewable Energy Asset

Mercer Island non-profit IslandVision and community group TIMI are reaching out to Mercer Island residents, and asking them to donate to the Island’s first renewable energy installation, a solar array for the Mercer Island Community Center.

Last year, the City of Mercer Island Green Ribbon Commission worked in cooperation with PSE to increase the number of Green Power subscribers on the Island. Mercer Island met the goals of the “Green Power Challenge” which resulted in a PSE grant of $30,000. A team of volunteers researched the possibility of the grant being used as seed money for a larger Community Solar Array, similar to other communities in Washington state, i.e. Whidbey Island, Edmonds, Bainbridge Island, Olympia, and more.

IslandVision Board Chair Callie Ridolfi commented, “We invite residents to donate to this exciting Community Solar project. Islanders have been generous in cooperatively funding our city parks and public amenities. Likewise, if $40,000 is raised, this will more than double the size of the solar array, and provide a significant renewable energy resource for our Island.”

This is a unique opportunity to donate to a project that generates multiple benefits for the community: 
• A solar installation that will help power the community center, thereby reducing the cost of operating that facility for decades to come 
• A demonstration project that will help educate the public and our schools about photovoltaic solar electric power 
• A rebate stream that will go towards maintenance and expansion of the solar array 
• A tax- deduction for each donor that continues to deliver clean and renewable energy

Send donations for the Mercer Island Community Solar Array (contributions of $500.00 or greater will be recognized on the site plaque) to either:

IslandVision, P.O. Box 432, Mercer Island, WA 98040 
or 
City of Mercer Island, c/o Kirsten Taylor, 9611 SE 36th Street, Mercer Island, WA 98040