Solar panels help Federal Way’s El Centro Skate Rink save money

The lights and sounds of the El Centro Skate Rink in Federal Way will now be partially powered by the sun, thanks to a new solar array unveiled on Aug. 1.

Local leaders and representatives from El Centro de la Raza, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and Sphere Solar joined community members for a ribbon cutting at the rink.

The solar panels were installed by Sphere Solar and paid for through Puget Sound Energy’s Green Power Grants.

Estela Ortega, executive director of El Centro de la Raza, shared her appreciation for the grant and for PSE’s commitment to being a carbon-neutral company by 2030, saying “this commitment helps to create infrastructure for a more inclusive carbon free future. Recognizing the importance of creating and living in a sustainable world, we must care for the environment by reducing our carbon footprint through economic growth that does not harm the environment and promotes social well-being.”

El Centro de la Raza is an organization that “focuses on building their community through unifying all racial and economic sectors; to organize, empower, and defend the basic human rights of our most vulnerable and marginalized populations; and to bring critical consciousness, justice, dignity, and equity to all the peoples of the world,” according to the press release for the event.

The solar panels will help them offset a small percentage of their operating costs and the deferred maintenance they are still catching up on from the previous owners. They are expected to generate about 14,000 kilowatts of energy per year.

El Centro also owns office space across the street and has big plans for development of housing, child care, teen engagement and a public market where small vendors can sell goods year round. This development will be on the land across the street and a parcel of land that includes the skating rink.

The skating rink was formerly called Pattison’s West and was purchased by El Centro de La Raza in 2022.

There is room for expansion on the roof of the rink in case the organization wants to add more solar panels in the future. They also are interested in installing electric vehicle charging stations. Ortega even said they want to open the rink as a cooling center in the future if needed.

“We want Federal Way to know that El Centro de la Raza is for all people,” Ortega said, adding that the public market will probably be the first project out, and that “we’re going to want businesses from all walks of life and all races to be able to sell their goods to make a living.”

Youth and environmental justice

At the ribbon cutting, Edwin Wanji of Sphere Solar Energy spoke to the opportunity that solar provides for “community resilience.” Using the example of extreme weather in Texas and unprecedented natural disasters around the country that are increasing due to climate change, he said that with “solar panels in the future, we can help our communities be more prepared if something happens” and “be a refuge for distress.”

Wanji spoke directly to the 30-plus youth who attended the event about the future of energy. He shared that he grew up in Kenya, and his high school did not have consistent electricity or running water. Through Sphere Solar Energy, their business partners with local organizations and projects. Wanji also runs a nonprofit called SphereOne that travels throughout the world installing solar projects in communities that can benefit from them, including in his home country of Kenya.

For those interested in pursuing a career in the renewable energy industry, Sphere Solar Energy offers a 200-hour paid training program. At least four youth signed up at the event to learn more, and they have put about 25-30 through the program so far.

“It’s helping diversify the workforce and create career pathways to be involved in careers they can be passionate about and feel like they are actually making an impact,” Wanji said of the training program.

King County Councilman Pete von Reichbauer attended the ribbon cutting and said that “we both know how important it is for our young people to be off the street in places like El Centro [Skate Rink]…we’ve got to find more and more safe locations where kids can go.”

State Rep. Jamila Taylor of the 30th District said of the rink at the event that “not only is it safe, it’s environmentally friendly. As we are looking at resources and how to save the planet, it’s good to see how our smaller communities like ours are able to take advantage of solar power and take advantage of opportunities to help the environment in our own backyard.”

She added that she appreciated the recognition from PSE and that “we love the environment and we love when entities are coming into our community and inviting us to be a part of a solution, rather than having things just put upon us …We are part of the future of environmental justice.”