Sunlight now helps power Marysville city services, thanks to 96 new solar panels atop the Civic Center. A new online dashboard lets residents watch this clean energy transformation in real-time.

The solar installation has already generated more than 16,600 kilowatt-hours of clean energy since its completion four months ago, equal to planting nearly 200 trees or preventing more than 25,700 pounds of carbon emissions. At current electricity rates, the system's expected annual production of 56,000 kilowatt-hours represents approximately $5,000 in energy savings each year.

Solar panels generate electricity year-round, even on overcast days, and perform best during periods of direct sunlight. The Civic Center's bifacial panels are specially designed to maximize energy collection by capturing both direct sunlight from above and reflected light from below, making them efficient even in the Pacific Northwest's varied weather conditions.

The project came at no cost to local taxpayers, funded entirely through a Department of Energy grant. The $122,038 installation was completed by Western Solar Inc. of Bellingham in just nine days. 

Want to see how much energy the solar panels are generating right now? View the online dashboard.