The Port of Bellingham has partnered with Puget Sound Energy to install PSE's 14th Community Solar site, bringing 100 kilowatts of AC solar capacity to the roof of the Fishermen's Pavilion at Zuanich Point Park. The installation allows Whatcom County area customers to subscribe to renewable solar energy without the cost or complexity of rooftop solar on their own homes.
Community solar programs like this one are designed to democratize access to renewable energy. Instead of requiring homeowners to install and maintain individual rooftop arrays, community solar allows multiple subscribers to share the output of a single larger installation. Subscribers receive a credit on their utility bill proportional to their share of the array's production, typically at a rate that reduces their overall electricity costs while supporting cleaner generation on the grid.
The Fishermen's Pavilion at Zuanich Point Park sits on the Bellingham waterfront, a location that offers strong solar exposure and makes the installation visible to the thousands of residents, boaters, and visitors who use the park. Zuanich Point is one of Bellingham's most-used waterfront amenities, serving as the primary access point for the city's recreational boating community and hosting public events throughout the year.
"This project reflects the Port's commitment to sustainability and building a cleaner energy future for Whatcom County," said Port Executive Director Tiffany DeSimone in the project announcement. "The Port is proud to partner with Puget Sound Energy to expand access to clean, renewable energy."
The installation is part of a broader sustainability push at the Port. According to the Port's own sustainability page, 2026 projects include ongoing cleanup of historic contamination from Bellingham Bay and Blaine Harbor, which dates to industrial operations that preceded the Port's current environmental stewardship era. The Port also published its most recent sustainability report in 2025, outlining progress across greenhouse gas reduction, habitat restoration, and waste reduction goals.
PSE's community solar program currently has sites across Western Washington. This installation marks the 14th such site in the network. Whatcom County residents interested in subscribing to the Fishermen's Pavilion array can contact Puget Sound Energy's community solar program directly for subscription availability and pricing details.
The Port also previously announced a 250-panel solar array at Bellingham International Airport, another step in its broader transition to on-site renewable generation. Together, the projects signal that the Port is increasingly treating its own facilities as platforms for clean energy infrastructure that benefits the wider Whatcom County community, not just Port operations.
For local residents curious about the array or the Port's broader environmental work, the Port maintains a public sustainability overview at its official website. Community input on Port planning and environmental projects is welcome through public meetings and the Port Commission, which holds regular public sessions in Bellingham.
