Interested in Adding a Solar System to Your Home or Business? Plan on Attending a Solarize Bainbridge Workshop Tonight or in the Future. Sunday: Senior Center Forum on Aging Well.

The City of Bainbridge Island, in partnership with the nonprofit Olympia Community Solar, is launching Solarize Bainbridge Island, a limited-time solar group purchasing program designed to make installing solar energy systems simple, affordable, and accessible for the community.

Running from now through July 31, Solarize Bainbridge Island will support residents and business owners across Bainbridge Island in transitioning to clean, renewable energy. Participants can sign up for a free solar assessment at SolarizeBainbridge.org.

“By installing solar, customers can significantly reduce their energy bills by generating their own electricity and participating in net metering,” said Ben Silesky, Program Director for Olympic Community Solar. “Net metering allows solar customers to earn utility bill credits for surplus energy sent back to the electrical grid, enabling many participants to offset much of their electricity usage costs, aside from their fixed monthly customer charge.”

While interest in solar energy continues to grow due to its environmental and economic advantages, the installation process can feel overwhelming, Silesky noted. Questions about cost, technical requirements, and selecting a qualified installer often create barriers. Solarize Bainbridge Island addresses these challenges by offering a streamlined, community-based approach, he added.

Silesky said the program exclusively partners with vetted local solar installers selected through a competitive bidding process evaluating equipment quality, business practices, and discounted pricing. By leveraging group purchasing power, Solarize participants gain access to pre-negotiated, campaign-only rates. 

In addition to personalized solar assessments, the program will host free public workshops throughout the campaign to educate residents about solar technology, financing options, and the installation process. Educational workshops will be held on:

• March 25, 6:00-7:30p.m. at Bainbridge City Hall (280 Madison Ave. N.)
• April 22, 6:00-7:30p.m. at Bainbridge City Hall
• May 9, 10:00a.m.-12:00p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church (8595 NE Day Rd.)

Participants must sign up for a free home or business assessment by July 31. Following the assessment, a Solarize-selected installer will provide a detailed proposal reflecting the campaign’s discounted pricing. Customers who choose to move forward will work directly with the installer to schedule installation.

Financing options are available through Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union for Solarize participants. Throughout the process, knowledgeable staff from the City’s Sustainability Office and Olympia Community Solar will be available to answer questions, review proposals, and guide participants every step of the way, Silesky said.

The City of Bainbridge Island is proud to offer this innovative program to accelerate local adoption of solar energy, an essential strategy for reducing regional climate pollution and building local energy resilience, City officials noted in a press statement. By emphasizing solar education, consumer protection, and partnerships with trusted local installers, Solarize Bainbridge Island is making the process simple, secure, and accessible. 

Residents and business owners—whether new to solar or previously assessed—are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity and share it with friends, family, and neighbors.

For more information or to enroll visit SolarizeBainbridge.org, email Solarize@olysol.org, or call (360) 481-4020.

Senior Center Hosting Free Aging in Place Forum on Sunday March 29

The Bainbridge Island Senior and Community Center (BI SCC) is inviting the public to attend a “lively” Aging in Place Forum on Sunday, March 29, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The event will be held at BISC, located at 370 Brien Dr SE, between the T&C Market and Waterfront Park. The forum is free and open to the public.

According to Senior Center spokesperson Jeanette Franks, there will be expert speakers on “What We Can Do to Help us Age in Place”, as well as advice on finances, social connections, exercise, and caregivers. Survey after survey by AARP and other senior related organizations indicate that those 65 and over strongly prefer to find a ‘forever home’ where they can stay the rest of their lives, Franks said.

“This forum will make that ideal much more plausible.,” she said. “It’s what everyone wants for their future.” Learn more: The Bainbridge Island Senior & Community Center Welcomes You

Source Materials: City of Bainbridge Island, Solarize Bainbridge and the Senior Center.

If you’d like to read more articles from The Island Wanderer Blog website, click here, to subscribe to The Island Wanderer Blog, click here.

ADVERTISE WITH US! We offer exceptional rates and packages for advertisers, to learn more, contact us at Contact Us | THE ISLAND WANDERER