Boys & Girls Club solar array
TL;DR
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue partnered with A&R Solar to install a 94 kW solar array at their 100th Ave NE facility. In the first year, the project is projected to save the Club nearly $12,000 in energy costs—money that can be redirected into after-school and mentorship programs.
Key takeaways
- 94 kW system with 177 high-efficiency Silfab modules
- Expected production: nearly 100,000 kWh annually
- $100,000 Puget Sound Energy (PSE) grant + federal incentives covered ~77% of the cost in year one
- Estimated payback: ~5 years
- Projected total financial value over 25 years: $685,000+
What does a 94 kW system look like for a community hub?
This PV installation is a major step for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue—locking in energy savings for the next 30 years. A 94 kW system at a facility like this delivers real impact, offsetting a significant share of daily electricity use and reducing reliance on the grid.
By selecting equipment backed by a 30-year performance warranty, the Club ensures this system will keep producing power long after today’s elementary students graduate college.
In the Pacific Northwest, solar is built for consistency. These panels are expected to maintain at least 89% of their original output after three decades. For a nonprofit, that consistency means more than sustainability—it stabilizes energy costs and helps protect against rising utility rates.
Solar panels on the facility roof
How do grants and incentives make solar accessible for nonprofits?
For many nonprofits, solar can feel out of reach—until you see how the numbers actually come together. This project shows what’s possible.
By securing a $100,000 grant from Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and leveraging the 30% federal tax credit—now available to nonprofits through elective pay—the Club recovered 77% of its investment in year one.
“Every dollar we save on energy costs is a dollar we reinvest in programs for kids,” said Tim Motts, President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Bellevue. “That means more athletics, before- and after-school care, meals, and staff who show up every day for young people who need them. We’re grateful to PSE and A&R Solar for helping us invest in the future.”
With a five-year payback period, the Club effectively locks in decades of electricity at a fraction of market rates. The $12,000 saved on utility bills this year doesn’t just reduce carbon—it funds staff, expands programs, and strengthens support for the thousands of young people the Club serves.
A&R Solar install detail
A community-first project (and why it matters)
We’ve been installing solar across Washington and Oregon since 2007, but projects like this hit differently. When a youth-serving organization cuts operating costs, that money goes straight back into the community.
This system came together through a partnership between the Club, Puget Sound Energy, and our employee-owned team. It’s a practical investment with visible results—lower bills, more program funding, and a building that produces its own power.
And for the kids walking through those doors, it’s not abstract. They see what clean energy looks like in real life—right where they spend their time.
Solar array close-up
Next step
Take a look at your organization’s or facility’s utility bill from the last 12 months. If you’re curious how elective pay or local grants could apply to your roof space, we can help you run the numbers.
Email: welcome@a-rsolar.com
