On Bainbridge Island, emergency preparedness is a necessity. A bad storm could knock out power and leave the island cut off from the mainland for days, making fast utility line repairs impossible.
Recognizing that risk, Bethany Lutheran Church applied for and received a Clean Energy Community Grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce. The church had assistance from consultant Marja Williams with Urban Oranje to apply for the grant and help track deliverables throughout the process. The funding made it possible to install a solar panel and battery system that will provide reliable backup power during outages.
To bring the project to life, Bethany Lutheran Church enlisted Cascadia Solar to design and install a custom system for its two buildings.
As a Community Resiliency Center designated by the City of Bainbridge Island, the church’s solar and battery system now offers residents a safe place to gather in an emergency, get and share important information, charge devices, and even get a hot meal during an emergency.
Project Snapshot
Location: Bethany Lutheran Church on Bainbridge Island
Solar System Overview:
- Fully grant-funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce
- 40.92 kW system serving the church and its preschool building
- 93 Silfab solar panels (made in Washington!)
- 3 FranklinWH aPower2 batteries, providing 45kWh of capacity
Results:
- Reliable backup power for lights, outlights, some heating, and a full kitchen
- Estimated $5,275 in energy savings in the first year
About the Design & Installation Process
Designing a System That Fits the Church’s Needs and Budget
As a Community Resilience Center, Bethany Lutheran Church needed a solar panel and battery system that could provide reliable backup power during extended power outages. Cascadia Solar worked closely with church leadership to design a system that meets those needs while ensuring the grant funding was used to its full potential.
We utilized the open space on the church and its preschool building’s roof to maximize the number of panels that could be installed. We also sized the church’s system carefully to ensure it could support three FranklinWH batteries, which will provide sufficient backup power for lights, charging outlights, refrigerators, and kitchen equipment.
Strategic Scheduling to Minimize Disruption
This project required strategic scheduling, as the church is utilized by several community groups, and the preschool is open five days a week. We minimized disruption to their operations through thoughtful planning and regular communication with staff. Our team worked hard to plan power shut-offs and installation work around church activities, and scheduled the majority of work on the preschool while students were away on a field trip.
Benefits for the Bainbridge Island Community
With the solar and battery system in place, Bethany Lutheran Church is now fully equipped to support the Bainbridge Island community during emergencies.
During a power outage, residents can now head to the church and:
- Charge phones and other essential devices
- Access a fully-powered kitchen
- Gather in a safe, comfortable environment during emergencies
- Stay informed on emergency updates from first responders and the community
In addition to supporting emergency preparedness, the solar and battery system helps reduce ongoing energy costs for both the church and preschool buildings. The system is estimated to save approximately $5,275 in the first year.
For Cascadia Solar, projects like this one reflect the heart of our work. We believe solar and battery storage can play a powerful role in strengthening our local communities, and are proud to have partnered with Bethany Lutheran Church on a project that gives Bainbridge Island residents access to essential resources when they’re needed most.
