Yakima City Council to consider solar energy agreement

YAKIMA — A new campaign encouraging adoption of solar-powered energy could soon be coming to Yakima.

The Yakima Harold-Republic reports that a resolution on the City Council’s Tuesday agenda authorizes an agreement with Spark Northwest to invest in solar energy.

Spark Northwest is a Seattle-based nonprofit founded in 2001 that supports local efforts for residents in Washington and Oregon

Under the terms of the agreement, Spark Northwest would provide training and technical assistance to a volunteer committee of residents, who would ultimately choose and purchase a solar contractor through a formal public bidding process.

The group purchase would reduce the often-high upfront cost of installing residential solar systems.

City Manager Cliff Moore says the “Solarize Yakima” campaign would involve little, if any, out-of-pocket expenses for the city.