Rainshadow Solar
525 Deer Harbor Rd, Eastsound, Washington, United States

Rainshadow Solar has been installing solar and other renewable energy systems since 1989. Operating from Orcas Island in the beautiful San Juan Islands, we specialize in design and installation of solar energy systems, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging systems. We provide solutions for both grid-tied and off-grid applications.​  We are a licensed general and electrical contractor in Washington (CC RAINSSS839LT,  ​EC RAINSSS837NT).

We design and install solar, small-scale wind, and micro-hydro projects that are grid-connected and off-grid, as well as battery storage systems for primary and back-up applications. For electric vehicle owners, we install Level 2 charging systems at residential and commercial locations.

Why Solar

• Lower Bills - Lower or eliminate your electricity bill. Depending on your annual consumption and the space you have for a solar PV array, you could reduce your electricity charges to zero all 12 months of the year. For an average household in San Juan County that is an annual savings of over $1,000 at today’s rates. At the current pace of electricity rate increases in Washington that savings could double to $2,000 or more per year in the next decade.

• Return on Investment – Solar panels are a great, recession-proof investment with returns rivaling more traditional investments like stocks & bonds. Savings on your electric bill , coupled with federal tax credits means your PV solar system will be paid off well before the expected 25+ year life of the system.

• Renewable Energy - Demand for electricity continues to increase in Washington, while production from the primary source of electricity production, hydropower, will likely decline due to renegotiated water treaties, drought, and pressure to help orcas and salmon. By choosing to install solar on your property, you are helping utilities meet increased demand with renewable energy production rather than natural gas or even coal power production.

• Increased Home Value – A 2015 study from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that installing solar on your home increased the value of your property by an average of $3 per kilowatt of solar nationally, and up to $4 per kilowatt in areas like San Juan County.

• Support a Local Business – Rainshadow Solar & Energy Solutions is a locally-owned and operated small business, based on Orcas Island. All 7 of our employees live on Orcas or San Juan Island, including 4 licensed electricians

Why Battery

• Peace of Mind - San Juan County relies on underwater transmission of electricity from the mainland and then overhead power lines to homes and businesses on the 20 islands with grid power. In the past year, there have been several planned and unplanned power outages. Backup power provides peace of mind to keep the lights on, as well as the fridge and freezer (and other "critical" loads).

• Return on Investment – Unlike diesel or propane (LPG) generators, there is the potential to offset the cost of your battery since systems like Sonnen and LG Chem allow you to capitalize on "time of use" energy pricing (offered by OPALCO). "Time of use" means that utilities charge different rates at different times of the day; if a customer is willing to use electricity during lower demand hours, they can pay less than during the "peak" times of day. Both Sonnen and LG Chem allow you to program when the battery provides energy for your house and when the grid should. In addition, when your battery is coupled with your solar system, the IRS has clarified that those costs can be included in the 30% federal tax credit.

• Complements Renewable Energy - If you already have or are thinking about installing solar, having a battery can help you mitigate the fact that solar power is only available when the sun is shining. The battery allows you to store and later use the energy your solar array generated. And when your battery is charged, you can send the excess back to the grid. During a power outage, a solar array can charge a battery during the day, meaning you may need to only rely on the battery at night. With some planning, a solar + battery system could provide indefinite power during a grid outage. By choosing to install solar and battery on your property, you are also helping utilities meet increased demand with renewable energy production rather than natural gas or even coal power production.

• Support a Local Business – Rainshadow Solar & Energy Solutions is a locally-owned and operated small business, based on Orcas Island. All 7 of our employees live on Orcas or San Juan Island, including 4 licensed electricians.