Puget Sound Energy has awarded the King County Housing Authority with a grant to install solar panels at the Meadows on Lea Hill Apartments in Auburn.

The Village at Overlake Station in Redmond, and Windsor Heights Apartments at SeaTac also will receive solar panels.

Collectively, the three systems total 82 kilowatts, enough clean energy to lower the KCHA’s operating costs.

“These rooftop installations help advance the Housing Authority’s Environmental Sustainability Plan,” said KCHA Executive Director Stephen Norman. “The impact of these investments is significant – they not only reduce our housing’s impact on the environment but also lower utility costs and keep these apartments affordable to families that are increasingly struggling with escalating rent and utility costs in these markets. They are part of an ambitious five-year plan to reduce KCHA’s carbon footprint. We truly value the partnership with Puget Sound Energy and Washington State University in moving this effort forward.”

The Washington State University Energy Program, through its Community Energy Efficiency Program, helped provide half of the funding for this project. The other half comes from PSE’s Green Power program, which allows customers to reduce their personal carbon footprint while supporting the development of renewable energy in the region.

“We are continuing our commitment to the communities we serve by choosing to work with Community Action Agencies that have a track record of serving people in need,” said Will Einstein, director of product development and growth at PSE. “By funding these solar projects on multi-family housing, not only are we supporting their core mission, but also helping to reduce their energy costs — returning savings to their tenants, and reducing their carbon footprint.”