KING COUNTY SOLID WASTE DIVISION – VASHON RECYCLING AND TRANSFER STATION

VITAL STATS

PROJECT TEAM

RENEWABLE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS INFORMATION

ENERGY PERFORMANCE

PROJECT LEADERSHIP AND STORY OF THE PROJECT

As the urgency to combat climate change intensifies, the Solid Waste Division within King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks is at the forefront of providing eco-friendly recycling and waste disposal services. Funded partly by Washington state’s Solar Grant Program and supported by Stormwater Services’ permitting work, this project aligns with the county’s Clean Water Healthy Habitat Goals, enhancing both environmental sustainability and stormwater management.

The Vashon solar project is a significant milestone in King County’s broader climate strategy, contributing to the goal of certifying 20 county projects as Zero Energy or Living Building Challenge compliant by 2025. Following a similar installation at the Enumclaw Recycling and Transfer Station, these initiatives position both facilities for Zero Energy certification. Cynthia Adams, operations supervisor for the division, emphasizes the project’s impact: “The Vashon solar project is key to the Solid Waste Division’s goals of increasing sustainability in our operations. The project gets us closer to our goal of being carbon neutral in operations by 2025.” This endeavor underscores King County’s commitment to ensuring all capital projects achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, reflecting a robust dedication to environmental stewardship and climate resilience.

DESIGN PROCESS

The design process for the Vashon Recycling and Transfer Station solar project was a collaborative effort focused on sustainability and efficiency. The Solid Waste Division worked closely with local installer Western Solar to maximize the use of previously unused land adjacent to the transfer station. The design included an array of 348 solar panels, carefully positioned to optimize sunlight capture and energy production. Additionally, energy-saving features such as efficient roadway lights, an upgraded HVAC system, and an auto-shutdown mechanism for the station’s trash compactor were integrated into the overall design. This holistic approach not only ensures the facility operates energy-neutrally but also aligns with the county’s broader environmental goals. Coordination with Stormwater Services in DNRP’s Water and Land Resources Division ensured that stormwater planning and permitting were seamlessly incorporated, guaranteeing that the project adhered to clean water standards while generating clean energy.

ENERGY NARRATIVE

The energy systems narrative for the Vashon Recycling and Transfer Station solar project centers on creating a sustainable, energy-efficient facility. The installation of 348 solar panels forms the backbone of this initiative, generating approximately 172,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. This clean energy output is designed to offset the station’s energy consumption, making it energy-neutral. To enhance efficiency, the project also incorporated several advanced energy systems, including efficient roadway lighting, a modernized HVAC system for the scale house, and an auto-shutdown feature for the trash compactor. These systems work in synergy to minimize energy use and maximize sustainability. The combined efforts ensure that the Vashon facility not only meets its operational energy needs through renewable sources but also contributes to King County’s broader goals of carbon neutrality and environmental stewardship.

ENERGY LESSONS LEARNED

Because the energy efficiency work was so effective, the system is way overproducing energy. In the future, we’ll look closer at solar array sizing to either avoid overproduction, or participate in utility Large Solar programs that pay for overproduced energy.