1. Washington— Rural Business & Cooperative Service
Alternative Energy
Fairchild Record
Tumwater’s First Commercial Search employee
Fanny Sparling
Solar Project Funded With Help stands on one of the
48 “Made in Wash-
From USDA Energy Grant ington “ solar pan-
els that are now on
top of her building
in Tumwater,
Outline of Need: Thurston County.
The energy savings
Sundodger Ventures, LLC, founder Rene Reis wanted from this solar
to take advantage of renewable energy to reduce her project equates to
over $5,800 annual-
operating costs in the 7,500 square foot building she ly.
owns in Tumwater, Thurston County.
With the help of Puget Sound Energy and Thurston
Energy, Reis was able to identify potential energy
savings by upgrading existing lighting to T-8 flo-
rescent lighting. But she wanted to include a solar
option for her roof after hearing a presentation by
South Sound Solar at a local Rotary Club meeting.
How Rural Development Helped: South Sound Solar to design and install a 9.4 kW so-
With the help of the Rural Energy for America Grant lar photovoltaic (PV) system consisting of a 48-panel
Program (REAP), Reis was able to save 25 percent of solar array of “Made in Washington” panels and in-
the cost for the $85,000 project. Reis contracted with verters.
Fast Facts The Result:
The commercial solar installation was the first of its
Program: Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP) kind in the rural community of Tumwater, Thurston
Investment: $20,000 REAP Grant County. The new solar array will produce about 10
Partners: Puget Sound Energy; Thurston Energy; South
Sound Solar
percent savings in power, equating to over $5,800
Congressional District: WA-10 annually. Reis’ energy efficiency investments are
lowering her energy consumption, saving her money
Demographics:
and stimulating the local economy.
 Tumwater, Thurston County
 Population: 17,371 (2010 census)
“There is still a perception that alternative energy and
Impact: energy efficiency is cumbersome and expensive,”
 Over $5,800 in energy savings (renewable energy said Ries. “That’s not what I found thanks to state and
replaces energy used)
 Investment and production tax credits realized
federal tax incentives, grants, and Thurston Energy’s
 Payback on investment is approximately nine-years. loan rate buy-backs that are currently available.”
Contact: carlotta.donisi@wa.usda.gov December 2012