The Museum of Flight has received a clean energy grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce to help fund a large rooftop solar installation at the museum’s Aviation Pavilion. According to the museum, the project will place a solar array across the 140,000-square-foot roof of the Aviation Pavilion, covering roughly three acres. The grant award totals $1,237,323 and comes through the state’s 2025 Clean Energy Grants program, funded by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. Museum officials said the grant covers about one-third of the project’s estimated $4.02 million cost. Installation work is expected to begin in the fall. Once completed, the solar system is expected to provide enough electricity to cover the current energy needs of the museum’s West Campus, with excess energy planned to flow back into the electrical grid. The museum also said the system could help support future development projects on the campus. Museum officials said the project is intended to lower operating costs and reduce the institution’s overall energy use and environmental impact across its 23-acre property. Savings from reduced utility costs are expected to support exhibitions, educational programs, visitor services, and community access initiatives.
“The Museum of Flight is profoundly grateful to the Washington State Department of Commerce for this support,” said Matt Hayes, President and CEO of The Museum of Flight. “The installation of solar power at the Aviation Pavilion strengthens our commitment to sustainability and enhances our ability to inspire learners of all ages. This project ensures that future generations will experience the wonder of flight in a facility that reflects responsible stewardship of our planet.” The museum described the project as part of a broader long-term sustainability plan centered on generating renewable energy on-site. “The State of Washington’s investment helps us model the innovative thinking we encourage in our students and visitors,” said Jeff Bauknecht, Grant Program Manager. “This clean energy initiative is more than an infrastructure project—it’s a community asset that will strengthen the Museum’s impact for decades to come.” The Washington State Department of Commerce’s Clean Energy Grants program supports projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy resilience, and expanding the use of renewable energy across the state. For more information and to support The Museum of Flight, click on this link: www.museumofflight.org.
