Community Solar Project Development for Evergreen State College, Tacoma Campus
The Evergreen State College Tacoma Campus Community Solar Project represents a transformative capstone initiative for our Land Developer Certification Course. This project demonstrates the practical application of community land ownership principles, renewable energy development, and cooperative economics in real-world implementation.
Located at 1210 6th Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98405, this mixed-use solar installation combines rooftop and carport solar systems to generate clean energy while serving as an educational hub for sustainable community development.
Location
Evergreen State College, Tacoma Campus
1210 6th Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98405
System Types
Rooftop & Carport Solar
Hybrid installation for maximum coverage
Project Status
Development & Capital Campaign
2026 Installation Target
Educational Impact
Living Laboratory
Hands-on learning for students
System Installation
$850,000
Solar panels, inverters, wiring
Development & Design
$150,000
Engineering, permitting, design
Total Project Cost
$1,000,000
Complete system deployment
The Washington State Department of Commerce offers competitive grants for community solar projects that advance clean energy goals and workforce development. Our project qualifies for funding through multiple pathways.
Funding Amount: Up to $400,000 (40% of project cost)
Focus Areas: Community benefit, workforce training, educational impact
Application Deadline: Q2 2026
Key Requirement: Demonstrated community engagement and workforce development component
The federal government provides a 30% Investment Tax Credit for solar installations, which can be monetized or used to reduce project costs.
Funding Amount: $300,000 (30% of $1M project)
Mechanism: Tax credit for system owner or monetized through equity partners
Timeline: Available through 2032
Benefit: Significantly reduces net project cost
DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office provides funding for innovative solar projects with educational and workforce development components.
Funding Amount: $100,000 - $250,000 (competitive)
Focus: Workforce training, student engagement, technology innovation
Application Window: Rolling basis
Competitive Advantage: Our Land Developer Course integration
Our community crowdfunding campaign invites individuals, local businesses, and community organizations to invest in clean energy and support workforce development in Tacoma.
$100 - $500: Community Champion
$500 - $2,500: Solar Supporter
$2,500+: Energy Pioneer
System Size
150 kW DC capacity
Annual Production
~180,000 kWh/year
Panel Type
High-efficiency monocrystalline (400W+)
Inverter
Three-phase string inverters with monitoring
Mounting
Roof-mounted racking system (south-facing)
System Size
100 kW DC capacity
Annual Production
~120,000 kWh/year
Structure
Canopy-style carport (40 parking spaces)
Dual Purpose
Parking + energy generation + EV charging ready
Design
Weather-resistant with integrated drainage
Total Capacity
250 kW
Annual Generation
300,000 kWh
CO₂ Offset
210 tons/year
Equivalent to powering ~30 homes annually while offsetting greenhouse gas emissions and supporting Evergreen's sustainability goals.
This capstone project serves as a living laboratory for our Land Developer Certification Course, providing students with hands-on experience in renewable energy project development, community finance, and sustainable infrastructure.
Students engage in site assessment, system design optimization, permitting navigation, and stakeholder coordination throughout the project lifecycle.
Learn to structure community investment campaigns, navigate grant applications, understand tax incentives, and develop financial models for sustainable projects.
Partner with Sacred Land Collective to provide pre-apprenticeship training and job placement for underrepresented communities in the solar installation workforce.
Understand the interconnections between energy systems, community economics, climate action, and social equity in real-world implementation.
Join us in building clean energy infrastructure while developing the next generation of community land developers. Your investment supports renewable energy, workforce development, and educational excellence.