Brightwater Center

Brightwater Environmental Education and Community Center

Brightwater's Environmental Education and Community Center is a US Green Building Council LEED® (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Platinum Certified energy efficient structure that hosts comprehensive environmental programs for the surrounding Woodinville, Washington community. These programs develop a citizen's knowledge of the goods and services needed to foster and sustain a healthy environment. The Center's 3.2-kilowatt Silicon Energy array (composed solely of Washington State-made solar panels and equipment) coupled with the award of a Solar 4R Schools Energy Explorer project and touchscreen kiosk is an ideal tool for demonstrating renewable energy production and conservation. Energy monitoring services and equipment provided to the school has connected the live performance data from their PV system to the Energy Exploration Center at Solar4RSchools.org. Students and educators nationwide can now chart, graph and analyze the system's performance data for educational purposes. A touchscreen kiosk displayed in a high traffic area of the building allows visitors and community members to interact with the system's live performance data, learn how solar energy works and better understand the environmental impact of the energy they use.