Flip the Switch: Toppenish Celebrates Clean Energy, Community and a Brighter Future

On September 17, Toppenish School District celebrated an exciting milestone with our Flip the Switch Community Celebration at Valley View Elementary, marking the completion and energization of our new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS+) project.

As one of the first school districts in Washington state to implement this innovative technology, Toppenish is helping lead the way in clean energy, sustainability and community resilience. Made possible through a $1.7 million grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce, this groundbreaking project represents a significant investment in our students, schools and the greater Toppenish community.

More than 350 community members joined us for the celebration, with estimated attendance reaching 400–450 guests! Families, students, staff and community partners came together for an unforgettable evening filled with hands-on STEM activities, renewable energy exploration, creative projects, food and plenty of Wildcat pride.

Throughout the evening, families explored more than 20 interactive stations connecting science, technology, art and environmental stewardship. From building circuits and exploring solar energy to learning about conservation and touring one of our electric school buses, the event offered opportunities for students of all ages to discover how renewable energy connects to their everyday lives.

The highlight of the evening came when students and families gathered for the official Flip the Switch ceremony. With confetti poppers, blow horns and plenty of excitement, our Wildcats helped celebrate the moment this incredible investment in their future came to life!

An Investment That Powers More Than Our Schools

Our BESS+ project is about much more than clean energy. It represents a commitment to creating a more sustainable and resilient future for our students, families and community.

The system is projected to save the district more than $22,000 annually in energy costs, helping offset rising utility expenses and allowing more resources to remain focused on student learning.

Equally important, the system is designed to provide 12 or more hours of stored energy during large-scale power outages, including those caused by wildfires and other natural disasters. This emergency power capability makes Valley View Elementary an important resource for emergency preparedness and response, providing benefits that extend beyond our schools to the greater Toppenish community.

During the celebration, guests even had the opportunity to view a live dashboard displaying the system's energy production in real time. At approximately 6:30 p.m., the solar system was still producing nearly 80% of the power being used by Valley View Elementary!

This project demonstrates how innovative investments in our schools can create lasting benefits for our entire community while introducing students to emerging technologies and career opportunities in renewable energy.

Celebrating the Partnerships That Made It Possible

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Washington State Department of Commerce for the $1.7 million grant that made this innovative project possible. Through this investment, Toppenish School District is helping demonstrate how clean energy technology can support educational opportunities, responsible stewardship of public resources and community resilience.

A special thank-you to our project partner and event sponsor, Sazan Group, for their continued support and generous contributions to the celebration, including reusable bags, pumpkins, cupcakes and engaging activities for our families.

We are also incredibly grateful to the many educational and community organizations that joined us to provide interactive learning experiences throughout the evening.

Special recognition goes to Valley View Elementary Principal Amanda Pettijohn and her staff, our Toppenish High School Leadership students and CTE programs, and the many district departments and volunteers who helped bring this event to life. From event setup and transportation to food service, technology and student activities, this celebration was truly a Team Toppenish effort!

Most importantly, thank you to the hundreds of students and families who joined us. Your enthusiasm, curiosity and overwhelming show of support made this celebration truly memorable. Seeing our community come together to celebrate this milestone reinforced the importance of creating opportunities that connect our schools, families and community partners through shared learning and experiences.

What's Next? Bringing Our Energy Story to Life Through Art!

The completion of our BESS+ project is just the beginning!

As part of this grant-funded initiative, Toppenish School District is partnering with the Toppenish Mural Society to create a historical mural at Valley View Elementary that celebrates the evolution of energy in our Valley.

This project will mark the district's first official school-based mural in collaboration with the Toppenish Mural Society, creating a lasting piece of public art that connects our region's rich history, cultural heritage and relationship with the sun to the innovative clean energy technology now powering our future.

The mural will provide another opportunity to connect art, history and STEM learning while celebrating the unique story of our community.

We are now soliciting proposals from artists interested in bringing this exciting project to life! Artists are encouraged to review the Request for Proposals (RFP) and learn more about this unique opportunity to contribute to a lasting piece of public art in Toppenish.

Visit Click here to learn more about the RFP  for additional information.

From the installation of innovative clean energy technology to a community celebration that brought hundreds of Wildcats together, Flip the Switch was about more than energizing a new system. It was a celebration of what is possible when education, innovation and community partnerships come together.

We are Greater Together. Ready for Tomorrow!