Solar system could cost over $1 million for community center, library

At the meeting of the Point Roberts Park and Recreation Department on December 9, Josh Miller of Cascadia Renewables presented findings from a recently completed solar feasibility study of six Point Roberts sites. Of the locations evaluated, Miller went into detail about two sites, the library and the community center on Gulf Road. 

According to Miller, by using the library’s east and west roofs, a system similar to a typical Washington residential size solar system would be able to be installed generating 110 percent of its annual needs and effectively reducing its power bill to zero through net metering. In emergencies, the system, paired with a generator, could operate 23 hours on solar and onehour on the generator in summer, and 19 hours of solar with five hours of generator use in winter.

The community center’s roof was unsuitable for solar due to equipment, drainage systems, and tall parapets. Instead, Cascadia proposed a ground-mounted solar parking structure in the east lot. The system would offset 140 percent of the center’s annual energy use, covering electric bills and providing capacity for up to three EV charging stations. In emergencies, it would reduce generator use similarly to the library system.

The mid-range cost estimate for the complete library system would be $218,898 and $789,617 for the community center. Miller suggested that the district consider possible upcoming grant opportunities, which have previously covered up to 100 percent of project costs.

“It really is a great opportunity to jump on this grant funding while it is available through the Climate Commitment Act, which was just extended,” said Miller.

The feasibility study can be accessed by contacting Resilient Point Roberts through their email, resilientpointroberts@gmail.com.