News

The installation of a 32.2 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system has just been completed at the Park and Forest Information Center in Sedro-Woolley.  The building it supplies power to houses operations for the National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, North Cascades Institute, and Discover Your Northwest.

The facilities also are the headquarters for the Mount Baker Ranger District of Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and North Cascades National Park Complex.  Their on-site visitor information center is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m and seven days a week from late April until early November.

Implementation of a renewable energy system at this location was originally a suggestion by the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service.  The U.S. Forest Service leases the property.

Whidbey Sun and Wind of Coupeville, WA designed and installed the utility-interactive solar electric system.  This is the largest solar power project they have implemented to date.  Altogether employing 140 Solon brand 230-watt PV modules and 3 Fronius grid-tie inverters, the system is batteryless and interfaces directly with existing utility power.  It provides an approximate annual energy production of 34,400 kWh.

Qualifying for incentives, the utility-intertie system is sales tax exempt in the state of WA.  In addition to this, a federal tax credit is available to compensate for 30% of the installed system cost.   Based current electricity rates, the system now yields a 7.8% total return on the investment. 

The PV system provides about 14% of the building’s power, offsetting the consumption of electricity generated by non-renewable sources.

Whidbey Sun and Wind has been in business for 10 years.  Based on Whidbey Island, they install renewable systems throughout the Puget Sound region.  They provide solar electric, solar hot water, wind, and micro-hydro system design and installation services, as well as renewable energy education.