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2011 Spring | Education & Outreach, Policy & Regulation

Solarize Seattle: Implementing a Neighborhood-Based Bulk Purchase Model to Mainstream Solar Energy in the Rainy City

Student(s):

Alexandra Sawyer

Program or Department(s):

  • Program on the Environment
  • University of Washington

Site supervisor(s):

Jennifer Groves

Partner(s):

  • Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development

Faculty advisor(s):

Dennis Ryan, Urban Design and Planning, University of Washington

During my project, I planned and implemented Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development’s Solarize Seattle Initiative. I was interested in studying the barriers to solar energy, the environmental and social impacts of increased solar energy generation, and the adaptability of the Solarize model to the Seattle market. Solarize Queen Anne—the pilot project—developed into a grassroots, participatory campaign that incentivized solar installations through a bulk purchase price discount, free educational workshops, and a limited-time enrollment period. As a result, the Seattle market witnessed an unprecedented upsurge in residential solar interest.