Orcas Power & Light Cooperative

Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) is a member-owned, non-profit cooperative electric utility providing services to San Juan County since 1937. OPALCO’s mostly hydro-electric power is generated by Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and delivered to the islands by way of submarine cables.  OPALCO distributes electricity to 20 islands in the archipelago and employs approximately 60 people in the county. The Cooperative is governed by its member-owners who elect a seven-member board of directors. Elections are held each year at the annual meeting.

Sponsored Projects:

Friday Harbor Community Solar

Location:
Friday Harbor, WA
Grade Level:
6-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
9.90 - kilowatts

The San Juan Islands Conservation District is partnered with Orcas Power and Light Cooperative (OPALCO) and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to install solar electric systems at the public schools on Lopez, Orcas, San Juan, and Shaw Islands in 2015. This exciting community solar project will deliver renewable energy to our public schools, reducing their electricity bills, and provide renewable energy education for our students. Participants receive a payback through production incentives. Lopez Island School is generating renewable solar energy through the community solar... Read full project narrative >>

Funhouse Commons

Location:
Eastsound, WA
Grade Level:
K-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
12.00 - kilowatts

Located in Eastsound, WA, on Orcas Island, The Funhouse Commons was founded by local activists in the spring of 1999. The Funhouse is a youth-oriented community center that fosters educational play with hands-on science exhibits, computer-based labs, and art and entertainment facilities. The Funhouse also provides many important social services aimed at the most vulnerable children in the community. The facility was designed to be a hands-on children's science museum. Science and sustainability topics are core to education programs at the Funhouse. Each year, Funhouse Commons hosts an... Read full project narrative >>

Lopez Island Community Solar

Lopez Island Community Solar array
Location:
Lopez Island, WA
Grade Level:
K-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
9.98 - kilowatts

The San Juan Islands Conservation District is partnered with Orcas Power and Light Cooperative (OPALCO) and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to install solar electric systems at the public schools on Lopez, Orcas, San Juan, and Shaw Islands in 2015. This exciting community solar project will deliver renewable energy to our public schools, reducing their electricity bills, and provide renewable energy education for our students. Participants receive a payback through production incentives. Lopez Island School is generating renewable... Read full project narrative >>

Orcas Island Community Solar

Location:
Eastsound, WA
Grade Level:
9-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
11.40 - kilowatts

The San Juan Islands Conservation District is partnered with Orcas Power and Light Cooperative (OPALCO) and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to install solar electric systems at the public schools on Lopez, Orcas, San Juan, and Shaw Islands in 2015. This exciting community solar project will deliver renewable energy to our public schools, reducing their electricity bills, and provide renewable energy education for our students. Participants receive... Read full project narrative >>

Orcas Island High School

Orcas Island HS solar array
Location:
Eastsound, WA
Grade Level:
9-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
20.00 - kilowatts

As a Renewable School, Orcas Island High School is building a dedicated community of renewable energy educators, generating clean energy through their photovoltaic (PV) system, and leveraging the system's performance data as an educational tool to bring energy topics to life in their classrooms. The school installed a total of 20 kW of solar in 2015 through a unique partnership between the Solar 4R Schools program and the... Read full project narrative >>

Orcas Island Montessori

Location:
Eastsound, WA
Grade Level:
PK-6
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
9.72 - kilowatts

As a Solar 4R Schools Renewable School, Orcas Montessori School on Orcas Island, Washington is building a dedicated community of renewable energy educators and generating clean energy with the installation of a new 9.72-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system. This system will reduce energy costs for the school and will provide a valuable interactive energy education resource for teachers and students.

In 2013, educators within the school received a custom package of renewable energy teacher training, hands-on science kit materials and complete access to the wealth of educational... Read full project narrative >>

Shaw Island Community Solar

Location:
Shaw Island, WA
Grade Level:
K-8
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
1.70 - kilowatts

The San Juan Islands Conservation District is partnered with Orcas Power and Light Cooperative (OPALCO) and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to install solar electric systems at the public schools on Lopez, Orcas, San Juan, and Shaw Islands in 2015. This exciting community solar project will deliver renewable energy to our public schools, reducing their electricity bills, and provide renewable energy education for our students. Participants receive a payback through production incentives. Shaw Island School is generating renewable solar energy through the community solar... Read full project narrative >>