Service Meets Sustainability: Shelton Veterans Village Goes Solar with South Sound Solar
June 18, 2025\Orting, Washington, USA
In a powerful continuation of its mission to provide sustainable housing solutions, New Horizon Communities partnered with South Sound Solar to bring clean energy to the Shelton Veterans Village in Shelton, WA. The 70kW solar system will help reduce energy costs, lower environmental impact, and reinforce the organization’s long-term commitment to serving veterans with dignity and care.
About the Project
Shelton Veterans Village, located in Mason County, Washington, is a permanent supportive housing community for veterans who were formerly homeless. The site features 30 individual tiny homes and a spacious community center, where residents receive assistance from on-site staff through comprehensive wraparound services designed to help them achieve their personal goals.
Operated by the nonprofit New Horizon Communities, the village officially opened in September 2023 and is the third of its kind developed by the organization, joining Quixote Village (Olympia, 2013) and Orting Veterans Village (2021). Together, these three sites provide housing for up to 95 individuals.
In 2024, New Horizon Communities partnered with South Sound Solar to equip Shelton Veterans Village with a custom rooftop solar array. Uniquely, the solar panels installed on eight separate buildings are all routed to a single SolarEdge 50kW inverter located on the main building, creating a centralized design that improves efficiency and simplifies system monitoring.
The full system features the following components and specifications:
Distributor: Equipment sourced through CED Greentech PNW
Total System Size: 70kW
Savings: $600,000+ expected savings over the estimated system lifetime of 40 years
This project aligns with New Horizons’ commitment to building not only safe and stable housing but also sustainable communities.
The Community Impact
The Shelton Veterans Village solar array is expected to generate over an estimated $600,000 in lifetime energy savings over the next 40 years. These savings will be reinvested into essential services for residents, such as expanding mental health support and community programs. Along with long-term cost savings, the system will significantly decrease the village’s carbon footprint, cutting an estimated 58,000 pounds of CO₂ emissions annually. That’s equivalent to planting 705 trees each year or eliminating 106,000 miles of vehicle travel. The project features Silfab Solar panels proudly made in Washington State, supporting both clean energy adoption and local economic growth.
This project showcases South Sound Solar’s commitment to expanding access to clean energy for individuals and organizations that may otherwise encounter barriers to adoption. The organization spearheaded the project’s development and secured funding through the Washington State University Energy Extension’s Low-Income Community Solar Incentive Program.
About South Sound Solar
South Sound Solar is a locally owned solar energy provider based in Olympia, Washington. With over 15 years of experience, the company specializes in residential, commercial, and nonprofit installations throughout the region. Known for high-quality workmanship and local expertise, South Sound Solar is committed to advancing sustainable energy solutions across Western Washington. Visit www.southsoundsolar.com to learn more.
For more information about South Sound Solar visit:
Panza dba New Horizon Communities is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Its mission is to provide permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. New Horizon Communities creates and manages tiny home villages that foster community, encourage personal growth, and promote access to care and services. It currently owns and operates Quixote Village in Olympia, which opened in 2013, Orting Veterans Village, which opened in 2021, and Shelton Veterans Village, which is now open. Learn more at www.nhcommunities.org
System Components:
About Silfab Elite Panels
Silfab Elite solar panels are our most advanced and prestigious product, manufactured exclusively in the state of Washington. Featuring an innovative conductive backsheet and proprietary integrated cell technology allowing for more light to be collected and converted into energy, delivering high performance, long-term reliability, and a sleek, all black aesthetic for homeowners and businesses.
