Goodbye Sam Garst, Solar Champion and Climate Activist Extraordinaire

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Oct 1, 2013

Anyone who worked in the campaign to pass I-937, the initiative to establish a renewable portfolio standard for Washington, knew that Sam Garst was no ordinary volunteer; he gathered 3,200 signatures on the petition.  We met Sam in Olympia in 2005 when we were working on another policy issue, the one that established our production incentive program.  Sam came to hearings and testified on behalf of the program, and then hired Puget Sound Solar to install a 4.5 kW PV system on the roof of the new, energy-efficient home he and Christine were building in the Olympia area.  In addition, we installed an off-grid tracker to power a waterfall feature in the back yard.  Sam expanded the system on the main roof in 2009, and then added another system on the garage.  He needed the extra production for the two EVs that they purchased.

Sam passed away this week, and our hearts are heavy, but we celebrate his life, his infectious enthusiasm, and his considerable accomplishments toward the creation of a carbon-neutral world.

About The Author - Jeremy Smithson

Started Puget Sound Solar in 2001 with 30 years of construction contracting experience, and a desire to turn Seattle on to solar energy. Achieving NABCEP certification in 2004, Jeremy believes that our customers often follow a path similar to the one he took, starting out with solar daydreaming, then progressing to education on the subject, and eventually leading to action. In addition to leading the company he also does some teaching and speaking engagements about various aspects of solar energy, and experiments relentlessly with various solar, energy efficiency, and electric vehicle projects.

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