The City has signed an agreement with regional non-profit group Northwest SEED to launch a mass solar installation initiative here on Mercer Island, starting this spring.  The Solarize Mercer Island campaign intends to bring at least 30 new residential solar arrays online, and will be run jointly by Northwest SEED, the City, and committed citizen volunteers.

As a press release from the city explains, “this opportunity builds on the success of the 2012 PSE Green Power sign-up campaign, last year’s EPA Green Power Community Award, and is a logical next step following the installation of the City’s solar array at the Community Center last year.”

By gathering interested homeowners, the campaigns can offer 10 to 15 percent off normal pricing due to the cost efficiencies of mass purchasing.  The State of Washington’s solar incentives mean a typical system can pay for itself in just six to nine years, depending on equipment selected, and should then last another 20-30 years,” the press releast said. it continued.

To make this a success, city officials say the campaign needs significant volunteer engagement.

To learn how you can be involved and to find out more about the program, go to www.mercergov.org.