One challenge down; one to go. Thanks to 732 Puget Sound Energy (PSE) customers in Kirkland, the city was awarded $20,000 from PSE as part of its Green Power Challenge.

The second challenge is for Kirkland to beat out the cities of Snoqualmie, Anacortes, Tumwater and Bainbridge Island as the city having the highest percentage rate of new enrollments by Dec. 31 to receive an additional $20,000.

Currently, Kirkland is in fourth place; Snoqualmie is in the lead. Kirkland would need an additional 600 new participants to pass Snoqualmie at its current standing.

The money awarded from both challenges will be put toward installing solar panels on the city’s Public Safety Building, which is currently under construction. By participating in the program, residents and businesses can match a portion of their electricity to local, clean, and renewable energy sources.

On average, the cost for a residential home is about $4 per month and $20 per month for a business. To sign up, go to www.pse.com/GPChallenge, call 1-800-562-1482 or email PSEGreenPower@PSE.com.

Kirkland is getting a boost from community groups Kirkland Kiwanis Club, Kirkland Rotary Club and Sustainable Kirkland, which will be conducting outreach.

PSE will provide $10 for every new enrollment and the group that brings in the highest number of enrollments will get an additional $5 per enrollment. Local Girl Scout troops are also on the horizon for utilizing this as a fundraising opportunity.

As of the end of October, Kirkland’s Green Power enrollment number stood at 2,301; 301 participants more than the original goal set by PSE. The current percentage of new enrollments is 1.8 percent.