Submitted by Olympia Community Solar
Quixote communities and Olympia Community Solar are excited to announce a partnership for the Quixote Village Solar Project. Construction began on the 27th of June 2022, and consists of installing solar arrays across Quixote Village’s 30 tiny homes and community building to generate renewable energy.
As an integral community resource for the unhoused in Olympia, Quixote Village is an ideal location for hosting solar. The Quixote Village solar project includes 4 solar panels across each of the 30 tiny homes and 86 panels on the community building, 206 in total. South Sound Solar designed and installed the 66-kilowatt system.
“We are extremely excited to go solar at Quixote Village,” stated Quixote Village Associate Director Jaycie Osterberg-Brown. “We are grateful for our partners and funders for making this possible. This will not only reduce our carbon footprint, but the cost savings will let us focus more on providing services to our residents.”
The installation will reduce our energy bill saving the village more than $551,000 over the next 40 years. Savings from the solar energy will directly benefit village residents and support Quixote Communities mission. The solar energy will reduce Quixote Village’s carbon footprint by 58,000 pounds of CO2 emissions, equivalent to planting 705 trees every year, or not driving 106,000 miles. The project’s Silfab Solar Panels were manufactured in Washington State.
“I am excited for the solar panel installation because it will be very beneficial to the Village and allow us to be more environmentally friendly and hopefully we will be able to save money to continue to benefit the Village,” said Quixote Village Resident Nancy.
Olympia Community Solar developed the project and secured five grants to fund the project. The installation was funded by The City of Olympia, Puget Sound Energy, the Squaxin Island Tribe, the Tides Foundation, Collective Sun, and The Hammond Foundation.
“The Quixote Village solar project is an example of how solar energy may be leveraged as a
powerful tool for equity,” stated Olympia Community Solar President Mason Rolph. “Solar energy is not only a climate solution, it is a vehicle for economic justice.”
On August 2 the Village hosted Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) for a solar project tour. “The Quixote Village and Olympia Community Solar partnership will increase equitable access to cleaner and more affordable energy sources,” said Strickland. “That’s why I was proud to support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and other legislation that will further support clean energy investments across the South Sound.”
