When the City of Poulsbo and Housing Kitsap joined forces to open Poulsbo’s first city-backed affordable housing community, The Nordic Cottages, they had a clear goal: create high-quality homes that would remain permanently affordable for low-income residents.
To support that goal, they built the Cottages on public land, financed them with public dollars, and brought the local housing authority on to manage them. They also decided to power the Cottages with solar panels.
Cascadia Solar was selected to design and install a solar energy system for the Nordic Cottages. We were honored to contribute, delivering a custom multi-family solar energy system that helps keep utility costs low for residents and protects them from the strain of rising energy prices.
At a Glance
Location: The Nordic Cottages Affordable Housing Community in Poulsbo, WA
System Overview:
- Custom design to distribute solar energy equitably across all units
- Silfab solar panels, made in Washington
- 13.44 kW system installed across two buildings
Results
- Approximately $300 per unit per year in utility bill savings
- About $2,400 in combined annual utility bill savings
- 14,808 kWh of clean solar energy generated each year
- A durable system designed to provide clean energy for decades
The Design & Installation Process
From the start, Cascadia Solar worked closely with Housing Kitsap to understand their goals. As with every project we take on, the priority was designing a system that met the client’s needs; in this case, supporting long-term affordability for residents.
Because this was a multi-family installation, the design required additional care. The system needed to distribute solar energy fairly across all units while minimizing any impact on residents.
Drawing on our decades of electrical experience, we carefully considered equipment placement, system layout, and energy distribution to ensure the solar installation would benefit every household in the community equitably.
Throughout the entire design and planning process, we worked within the project’s budget constraints, offering competitive pricing and a practical approach that balanced performance, durability, and cost.
The Impact for Residents
The Nordic Cottages’ solar energy system generates approximately 14,808 kWh of clean energy each year, reducing the amount of electricity residents have to buy from the grid to meet their needs.
Because the cottages were designed to be highly energy efficient from the start, overall electricity use is already low. The solar panels offset some of the remaining demand, saving residents roughly $300 per year at current electricity rates. As rates rise, savings will increase. These predictable savings help cushion the impact of volatile electricity costs, allowing residents to worry less about fluctuations in their utility bills.
The benefits of the solar panel system extend well beyond today’s residents. Built for durability and long-term performance, the solar system will provide clean energy and cost savings for decades to come. As energy prices continue to rise, the value of these savings will only increase.
Looking Ahead
At Cascadia Solar, we’re passionate about supporting affordable housing projects like the Nordic Cottages. We believe high-quality solar installations should be accessible to everyone, especially communities that benefit most from long-term cost stability.
We’re honored to have contributed to the Nordic Cottages and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Housing Kitsap and the City of Poulsbo on a project that will provide clean energy and lasting value to Kitsap County residents for decades to come.
