Rainshadow Solar Inc.

Rainshadow Solar has been a solar installer in Orcas, Washington since 1989, making it Washington State’s oldest solar installation company. For over three decades, this San Juan Islands-based installer has specialized in designing and installing renewable energy systems for both residential and commercial clients throughout the archipelago and beyond. Operating from Orcas Island, the company has completed over 600 solar installations across the ferry-served San Juan Islands and into select areas throughout Puget Sound. What began as a pioneering renewable energy business in the late 1980s has grown into a trusted local provider with deep expertise in the unique challenges of island living. The company changed hands in recent years, with new owners Justin and Christine Wolfe taking the helm while maintaining the core crew that islanders have relied on for years. Justin brings more than a decade of technical experience from designing utility-scale wind farms around the world, while Christine contributed expertise from sustainable transportation work before they made the permanent move to Orcas Island from the Pacific Northwest mainland. Rainshadow Solar specializes in both grid-connected and off-grid solar energy systems, battery storage solutions, and electric vehicle charging installations. Their experience ranges from small tree-mounted arrays powering remote off-grid cabins to commercial-scale grid-tied solar installations with battery backup for island homes and businesses. The company holds licenses as both a general and electrical contractor in Washington State and is a SunPower authorized dealer. The San Juan Islands present unique solar installation challenges due to their remote island locations, ferry access requirements, and the need for systems that can provide backup power during winter windstorms. Rainshadow Solar understands these local conditions intimately, having worked on projects across the 172 named islands of the San Juan Archipelago. For homeowners in Orcas and surrounding Washington communities, going solar with an experienced local installer means working with a team that understands island logistics, can provide ongoing service without ferry delays, and has built relationships with local utilities like OPALCO for seamless interconnection. The company employs a crew of approximately ten people, providing living wages and benefits including healthcare to their team. As electricity costs in the region have increased consistently over the past decade, many island residents now view solar panels and battery storage as strategic financial investments with positive returns, especially given the uncertainty around hydropower from Bonneville Power Authority.