The Philadelphia Energy Authority is partnering with the Pennsylvania Solar Center's G.E.T. Solar initiative to accelerate adoption of solar energy among the region's businesses, municipalities, schools, and nonprofits.
Through the partnership, the G.E.T. Solar initiative's free technical assistance will be combined with financial guidance made available from the Philadelphia Green Capital Corp. Solarize Greater Philadelphia will support eligible properties located throughout Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery or Philadelphia counties, offering trusted, unbiased technical assistance to large consumers of energy who are considering an on-site solar installation.
To learn more about the G.E.T Solar Initiative:
This initiative is made possible with the lead support provided by the William Penn Foundation and additional support from the Green Family Foundation.
Since its inception in 2017, PEA's Solarize Philly has enabled over 3,800 homeowners to go solar and install 20 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity. Solarize for commercial properties has generated 2 MW of solar capacity in just three years. Altogether, $79 million has been invested in Philadelphia's clean energy economy.
Building upon these accomplishments, Solarize Greater Philadelphia participants will be guided through various federal tax incentives, grants, and special financing options. Participants can save more than 30 percent off the cost of a solar installation. G.E.T Solar offers assistance connecting participants with qualified and reputable solar developers.
"Solar energy is a fantastic investment - especially at a time when electricity costs are forecast to climb higher and higher," said Lisa Shulock, Director of Commercial Programs at the Philadelphia Energy Authority. "With the proper system design and the right mix of financial incentives, solar energy significantly reduces operating costs at facilities large and small. Adding solar is a particularly smart approach for large energy consumers facing unpredictable and escalating electricity prices."
"With energy bills rising significantly over the past few years, and projected to rise up to an additional 29 percent in 2025, many consumers are saving significantly by flipping the switch to solar," said Sharon Pillar, Founder and Executive Director of the PA Solar Center. "Larger consumers of energy like businesses and other organizations can often save thousands to tens of thousands of dollars on their electric bills. Further, there are current tax credits and grant programs in place that can make the transition very favorable to the consumer - but we don't know how long these programs will be around, so we're encouraging businesses and tax-exempt organizations to lock them in by going solar as soon as possible."
Past participants of the G.E.T. Solar initiative from across the state are now benefiting with significant financial savings. Wesley Family Services in Westmoreland County, for example, estimates that their solar installation will save the non-profit organization $700,000 over the next 25 years. Their solar installation covers an estimated 78 percent of monthly electrical demand.
The Pennsylvania Solar Center has mapped, via its volunteer SolarCorps program, more than 100 commercial and tax-exempt organizations across Low-Income Disadvantaged Communities (LIDAC) in Montgomery County. These sites offer the potential to install an estimated 26 MW of solar energy. The G.E.T. Solar initiative will continue to map the solar potential of disadvantaged communities throughout the Greater Philadelphia region over the coming year.
ABOUT THE PHILADELPHIA ENERGY AUTHORITY
The Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) is an independent municipal authority focused on building a robust, equitable clean energy economy for Philadelphia. PEA leads the Philadelphia Energy Campaign, a 10-year investment in energy efficiency and clean energy projects. To date, PEA has supported more than $1 billion in projects and created more than 8,300 jobs. Learn more at www.philaenergy.org.
ABOUT THE PENNSYLVANIA SOLAR CENTER
The PA Solar Center is a 501c3 nonprofit organization with the mission to expand the benefits of solar to all Pennsylvanians. The Center offers technical assistance to non-profit organizations, businesses, and communities to help them go solar, savvy media communications and online resources for all solar stakeholders, and education for decision-makers and advocates about the benefits of robust solar policy. The PA Solar Center provides an online directory of qualified solar developers, a map of notable solar installations, a monthly solar webinar series, and a listing of solar events happening across the state. Learn more at www.pasolarcenter.org.
Learn more about the G.E.T. Solar initiative and complete the intake form.
