Moses Lake Civic Center's New Solar-and-Storage System Goes Live, Powered by Major State Grant

MOSES LAKE — A major renewable-energy upgrade at the Moses Lake Civic Center is now fully operational after the city completed installation of a rooftop solar array and battery-storage system funded largely through a Washington State Department of Commerce grant.

The City of Moses Lake was awarded a Solar Energy plus Storage grant in 2023 covering 70% of the project. At the time, the system was expected to cost $2.14 million, with $1.49 million coming from the grant and $642,203 from a required city match. But as the project moved forward, efficiencies and design adjustments reduced the final price to $1.84 million, lowering the city’s contribution to $554,603.

City staff plan to apply for federal tax credits to fully reimburse that remaining match. If approved, the credits would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for the city.

The system uses photovoltaic panels that now cover the Civic Center roof, paired with a battery installation secured in a fenced-off area nearby. Together, the two components will bolster the city’s resilience during emergencies by reducing dependence on the electrical grid and ensuring essential services can function during outages.

City officials said the system was designed with emergency operations in mind. Staff worked with stakeholders to refine the layout, determine energy-storage needs, and integrate the system into the city’s incident-response plan. In the event of a power outage, stored energy will first supply the city’s servers, followed by other critical facilities and communications systems.

At a glance: Moses Lake Civic Center Solar & Battery Project

• Total Cost: $1.84 million

• Grant Funding: $1.49 million from the Washington State Department of Commerce

• City Match: $554,603 (pending full reimbursement through federal tax credits)

• Primary Goal: Improve citywide resilience and ensure backup power for essential operations

City leaders say the system is an investment in long-term stability—one that will reduce energy costs over time while strengthening Moses Lake’s ability to withstand outages and emergencies.