Celebrating solar energy at veterans village

New Horizon Communities and South Sound Solar on Oct. 30 hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception marking the completion of the Shelton Veterans Village solar project in Shelton.

"It takes a special dedication to come out in the rain," said Dave Redman, the program supervisor at the Shelton Veterans Village.

Construction of the solar array on Shelton Veterans Village's 30 tiny homes and community center was completed in September.

The Shelton Veterans Village has 156 solar panels, 102 of them on the tiny houses and 54 on the community center. South Sound Solar designed and installed the 61.5kW Solar System.

According to the news release, the installation will reduce the village's energy bill, saving more than $165,000 over the next 30 years. Those savings make more resources available for mental health programs and services,

Project funding come from the low-income community solar program at Washington State University Energy Extension.

New Horizon Communities is a nonprofit that provides permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness. It creates and manages tiny home villages that foster community, encourage personal growth and promote access to care and services. New Horizon Communities owns and operates Quixote Village in Olympia, which opened in 2013; the Orting Veterans Village, which opened in 2021; and Shelton Veterans Village, which opened in 2023.

South Sound Solar has been installing residential and commercial solar systems for more than 15 years, primarily in Mason, Thurston, Lewis, Grays Harbor, Pierce and Kitsap counties.

Redmond told the crowd he managed the Orting Veterans Village before coming to Shelton.

"I'm having the time of my life here with the residents," he said. He added, "We're a community of friends and family."

Redman mentioned a village resident who every day picks up trash in the area of the village on 13th Street.