Puget Sound Energy’s Solar Grants

Puget Sound Energy (PSE), a private energy utility based in Washington State, offers the 2025 Green Power Solar Grant as part of its ongoing effort to promote equitable access to renewable energy. Over the past eight years, PSE has awarded over $5.9 million in solar grant funding to more than 80 local projects, specifically prioritizing those that benefit historically marginalized communities within its electric service area. The 2025 funding round provides up to $750,000 in total grant funds for solar installations and related outreach efforts. Applications are due by August 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, and must be submitted via email to solarfunding@pse.com. The grant is designed to support community-based organizations, government entities, and Tribal nations that are either located in or serve communities with high need. In particular, applicants must demonstrate that they serve historically marginalized populations and that savings from the solar installations will directly benefit these groups. Preference is given to projects located in communities experiencing multiple disadvantages—such as low income, lack of housing, linguistic isolation, social isolation, or health challenges—as well as to applicants who have not previously received a PSE solar grant or who incorporate workforce development opportunities into their proposal. Grant funding can cover a wide range of eligible costs including the design, installation, equipment, permitting, interconnection, and metering of grid-connected solar systems. Up to $2,500 may be used for community education and outreach. Projects located on existing buildings may also include a contingency fund—capped at 5% of the total project cost—for necessary electrical upgrades such as panel replacements. Ineligible expenses include structural site improvements, pre-funding engineering or bid fees, construction bonds, solar production display equipment, ongoing maintenance costs, and in-kind or volunteer labor or materials. To be considered, applicants must meet certain technical criteria. The proposed project site must have sufficient sunlight, achieving a minimum average Total Solar Resource Fraction (TSRF) of 75%, and be no larger than 100 kW AC. Projects may be sited on either owned or leased properties, with leased locations requiring at least five years of confirmed tenancy and property owner support. Selected applicants must retain Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) associated with the project or agree to sell them to PSE. Insurance for the solar installation must be maintained for at least five years. The submission process involves multiple stages. After submitting an application, eligible organizations will be contacted to schedule a 60-minute interview with PSE and its equity advisory partners to answer follow-up questions and provide additional project details. Applications will be evaluated by a panel of internal PSE staff and members of PSE’s Equity Advisory Group. Evaluation is pass/fail for project feasibility and readiness, with scoring focused on community impact (70%), education and outreach (30%), and additional points awarded for workforce development efforts. The application timeline includes a live applicant webinar on June 18, 2025, from 12–1 p.m., with recordings available afterward. Optional grant writing assistance is available through Spark Northwest for those who apply before July 31, 2025. Final questions must be submitted by August 12, 2025. Award notifications will be made between November and December 2025, and funded projects are expected to be commissioned between 2026 and 2027 depending on size. Grantees are required to report one year after project completion on how solar savings were used to benefit historically marginalized communities. For questions, applicants should email solarfunding@pse.com with the subject line “Solar Grant.”

Applicants should consider obtaining multiple bids, demonstrate strong equity impact, and utilize Spark Northwest for support.