La Conner School District Expands Commitment to Renewable Energy

The La Conner School District is thrilled to take another major step toward sustainability with the addition of solar energy to our schools! Contracts for the design and construction have been finalized, and soon, our school buildings will showcase renewable energy solutions.

After a rigorous selection process led by Cascadia Renewables, our Owner’s Representative, we are pleased to announce that A&R Solar of Seattle has been chosen to lead the Middle School photovoltaic panel (PV) installation and Backup Battery (BESS) project. This project includes a 138.2 kW PV system and a 660 kWh BESS, ensuring a more resilient and energy-efficient future for our schools.

Even more exciting, thanks to flexible grant funding parameters, the Elementary School will also receive a PV system! The initial phase will include a 55 kW solar array, with plans to expand to 148 kW and add a backup battery as future funding becomes available.

These projects are made possible through a Department of Commerce EPIC Community Decarbonization grant, primarily funded by the Washington State Climate Commitment Act. The La Conner School District was awarded $1.9 million in grant funding to support our continued dedication to clean energy and environmental responsibility.

Project Timeline:

• Summer 2025: Installation of PV systems at the Middle and Elementary Schools

• Fall 2025: Middle School BESS installation

• December 2025: System testing

• June 2026: Total Project completion deadline

This initiative brings clean energy, resiliency, and cost savings to our district while reducing our carbon footprint. Additionally, our schools—designated as emergency centers—will provide reliable backup power for the community during outages.

We look forward to sharing more updates as we work together toward a greener, more sustainable future.