Methow Valley United Methodist Church Establishes Solar-Powered Wildfire Refuge

Methow Valley United Methodist Church launched a solar array and battery storage system in November to power its facility during outages and provide clean air during wildfires. The project, funded by an $843,000 Washington State grant, also includes plans for an electric vehicle charger. The church aims to serve as a resilience hub, offering shelter and resources during disasters. It can accommodate over 100 people, with a certified kitchen and accessible facilities.

Published Mar 30, 2026

Methow Valley United Methodist Church unveiled a solar array and battery storage system in November, enabling the facility to maintain power during outages and improve air quality during wildfires. The church plans to install an electric vehicle charger to assist community evacuations.

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This project, funded by an $843,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce, positions the church as a resilience hub, providing shelter and resources during disasters. The facility can accommodate over 100 people and includes a commercial-grade kitchen. The initiative was inspired by similar efforts at Vashon United Methodist Church, which also received a grant for solar installation.