DCED: Pennsylvania Invests $18 Million to Support Alternative Energy Projects; Help Businesses, Schools Conserve Energy, Cut Costs

37 Projects in 16 Counties Will Save 26,600 Megawatt Hours of Electricity Each Year

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania is expanding its commitment to advancing clean, solar energy with the investment of $18 million in 37 projects in 16 counties, Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Austin Burke said today.

"These new projects are creating jobs while helping to make the development and deployment of solar technology more affordable," Burke said after the projects were approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority on July 7. "Ultimately, this means substantial energy savings for families, businesses, schools and municipalities that use clean, renewable technologies."  

The 37 projects, approved through the state's solar energy program, are in Adams, Allegheny, Beaver, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Franklin, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York counties. They are expected to leverage nearly $88 million in private investments.

The solar projects will have an installed capacity of more than 24 megawatts and will generate at least 26,600 megawatt hours of electricity annually, or enough to power approximately 2,700 Pennsylvania homes. In addition to generating 26,600 solar renewable energy credits a year, the systems will annually save $5.2 million during each of the next 20 years.

Burke said one of the projects, Frazer/Exton Development LP, will receive a $2.7 million solar energy program grant for the purchase and installation of a solar photovoltaic system next to Makamie at Whiteland, a planned senior housing community to be developed in East Whiteland Township. The 1,800-kilowatt, ground-mounted system will generate 2.3 million kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the facility $286,000 in annual energy costs. The $8.6 million project will leverage an additional $5.8 million in private investment.    

The Commonwealth Financing Authority administers Pennsylvania's economic stimulus programs, including portions of the $650 million Alternative Energy Investment Fund that Governor Rendell signed into law in 2008.

For more information on state alternative energy investment programs available through the Department of Community and Economic Development, visit www.newpa.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

Media contacts:

Theresa Elliott, DCED; 717-783-1132

Michael Smith, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116

Editor's Note: The following is a list, by county, of the 37 projects receiving solar energy programs grants. The amount of energy generated annually and the potential costs savings were calculated by DCED using standard industry methodology:      

Adams County

Blue Renewable Energy LLC will receive a $457,500 solar energy program grant to buy a solar photovoltaic system for use at Gettysburg College. The 366-kilowatt rooftop system will generate 403,976 kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the college nearly $50,000 in energy costs. Total project cost is $1.8 million.

Allegheny County

Eaton Moon Township Solar LLC will receive a $675,000 solar energy program grant to purchase a solar photovoltaic power system at Eaton Corporation's headquarters facility in Moon Township. The cumulative 500-kilowatt system will include a 250-kilowatt canopy-mounted array above existing parking spaces; and a 250-kilowatt rooftop device. The system will generate 556,260 kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the company $70,000 in energy costs. The total project cost is $2.1 million.  

SingleSource Roofing Corporation will receive a $110,050 solar energy program grant to purchase a solar photovoltaic system at its facility in North Fayette Township. The 71-kilowatt rooftop system will generate 74,635 kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the company $9,300 in energy costs every year.  The total project cost is $384,771.

Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh will receive a $14,000 solar energy program grant to purchase and install a solar photovoltaic system in Pittsburgh.  The 8 kilowatt rooftop system at the Energy and Environment Community Outreach Center will generate 8,620 kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the center nearly $1,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $46,515.  

Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh will receive a $3,750 solar energy program grant to purchase and install a solar thermal system in Pittsburgh. The solar thermal system on their Energy and Environment community Outreach Center will service an 80 gallon storage tank and will offset the use of 31 therms of natural gas per year. The total project cost is $7,500.

Beaver County

Eaton Beaver Solar LLC will receive a $1 million solar energy program grant to install a solar photovoltaic system at Eaton Corporation's testing facility in Vanport Township. The 1-megawatt, ground-mounted system will generate 1.1 million kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the company $138,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $4.2 million.  

Berks County

Yuasa Solar LLC will receive a $384,375 solar energy program grant to purchase and install a solar photovoltaic system on the Yuasa Battery facility in the Laureldale Borough. The 307.5-kilowatt rooftop system will generate 307,082 kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the company $38,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $1.4 million.  

Bucks County

NewAge Industries will receive a $1 million solar energy program grant to purchase and install a solar photovoltaic system at its facility in Upper Southampton Township. The 1,000-kilowatt rooftop system will generate 1.2 million kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the company $150,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $4.7 million.  

Chester County

Frazer/Exton Development LP will receive a $2.7 million solar energy program grant to purchase and install a solar photovoltaic system adjacent to a planned senior housing community in East Whiteland Township. The 1,800-kilowatt ground-mounted system will generate 2.3 million kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the facility $286,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $8.6 million.  

Aqua Pennsylvania will receive a $1.5 million solar energy program grant to install a solar photovoltaic power system for its Pickering Water Treatment Plant in Schuylkill Township. Once operational, the 1.5-megawatt, ground-mounted system will generate 1.9 million kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the plant nearly $241,000 in energy costs every year. Total project cost is $6.9 million.

Blue Renewable Energy LLC will receive a $1.2 million solar energy program grant to install a solar photovoltaic system on the Church Farm School campus in West Whiteland Township. The cumulative 1,000-kilowatt system will include a 1,000-kilowatt, ground-mounted system and a 20-kilowatt rooftop system. Once operational, the cumulative system will generate 1.1 million kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the school nearly $139,300 in energy costs every year. Total project cost is $5 million.  

Blue Renewable Energy LLC will receive a $124,740 solar energy program grant to purchase and install a solar photovoltaic system at the Delaware Valley Friends School campus in Tredyffrin Township. The 83-kilowatt system will generate 90,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the school nearly $11,250 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $450,477.    

Cumberland County

Cumberland Valley School District will receive a $160,000 solar energy program grant to purchase and install a combined heat and power solar photovoltaic thermal system in Silver Spring Township. The 1-megawatt rooftop and ground-mounted system at the Cumberland Valley High School campus will generate 1.4 million kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the school nearly $175,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $5.6 million.

Franklin County

SSA Solar of PA LLC will receive a $1.4 million solar energy program grant for a solar photovoltaic system for the Shippensburg Borough waste water treatment plant in Southampton Township. The 1,000-kilowatt, ground-mounted system will generate 1.2 million kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the facility nearly $153,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $4.2 million.  

Lancaster County

Mt. Joy Solar Power LLC will receive a $485,000 solar energy program grant to install a solar photovoltaic system for the Mt. Joy Borough Authority in East Donegal Township. Once operational, the 380-kilowatt, ground-mounted array will generate 425,784 kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the wastewater treatment plant nearly $53,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $2 million.  

Quarryville Power Partners LLC will receive a $575,000 solar energy program grant to purchase and install a solar photovoltaic system for The Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community in East Drumore Township. The 450-kilowatt, ground-mounted array will generate 534,325 kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the facility nearly $67,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $2.2 million.

Lawrence County

Human Services Center will receive a $48,149 solar energy program grant to install a solar photovoltaic system in New Castle. Human Services Center, Lawrence County's community mental health center, will install a 30-kilowatt rooftop system, which will generate 34,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the facility nearly $4,200 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $224,719.

Leigh County

Nestle Waters North America Inc. will receive a $1 million solar energy program grant to purchase and install a solar photovoltaic system at its facility in Upper Macungie Township. The 1-megawatt rooftop system will generate about 1.2 million kilowatt hours of energy annually, which cold save the company nearly $154,000 in energy costs. The total project cost is $4.9 million.

Air Products and Chemicals Inc. will receive a $1 million solar energy program grant to construct a solar facility in Upper Macungie Township. The 1.5-megawatt power generation facility will generate 1.8 million kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the facility nearly $230,000 in energy costs. The total project cost is $7.8 million.

Montgomery County

Blue Renewable Energy LLC will receive a $127,100 solar energy program grant to install a solar photovoltaic system at the Ancillae-Asumpta Academy campus in Cheltenham Township. The 100-kilowatt rooftop system will generate 110,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the school nearly $14,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $516,436.  

Lower Moreland Township School District will receive an $851,000 solar energy program grant to install three solar photovoltaic systems. The cumulative, 575-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system will include a 143-kilowatt rooftop system for Lower Moreland High School, a 154-kilowatt rooftop system for Murray Avenue School, and a 278-kilowatt rooftop system for Pine Road Elementary School. The system will generate 670,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the school district nearly $84,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $3.2 million.

Colonial Solar LLC will receive a $704,450 solar energy program grant to install two solar photovoltaic systems at schools in the Colonial School District in Plymouth and Whitemarsh townships. The cumulative 700-kilowatt system will include a 440-kilowatt rooftop device for Colonial Middle School and a 265-kilowatt system for Colonial Elementary School. The system will generate approximately $880,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the district nearly $110,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $3.2 million.  

500 Virginia Solar LP will receive $759,360 solar energy program grant to install a solar photovoltaic system on an office building in Upper Dublin Township. The 950-kilowatt rooftop system will generate 1.3 million kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the company $161,000 in energy costs. The total project cost is $4.4 million.  

Northampton County

BASD Buchanan Solar LLC will receive a $336,000 solar energy program grant to purchase and install a solar photovoltaic system at Bethlehem Area School District's James Buchanan Elementary School in Bethlehem. The 280-kilowatt, ground-mounted system will generate 330,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, and could save the school district nearly $42,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $1.2 million.    

BASD Freedom Solar LLC will receive a $456,000 solar energy program grant to purchase and install a solar photovoltaic system at Bethlehem Area School District's Freedom High School campus in Bethlehem Township. The 380-kilowatt, canopy-mounted system will generate 430,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, and could save the school district nearly $54,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $1.8 million.    

BASD Spring Garden Solar LLC will receive a $297,000 solar energy program grant to purchase and install a solar photovoltaic system at Bethlehem Area School District's Spring Garden Elementary School in Bethlehem. The 270-kilowatt, ground-mounted system will generate 320,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, and could save the school district nearly $40,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $1.1 million.

CIT Solar LLC will receive a $498,150 solar energy program grant to install two solar photovoltaic systems at the Career Institute of Technology campus in Forks Township. CIT's cumulative 500-kilowatt rooftop solar photovoltaic system will be on the campus' main building and on unused land. The systems will generate 470,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, and could save the school nearly $59,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $2.2 million.    

Blue Renewable Energy LLC will receive a $1.4 million solar energy program grant to install a solar photovoltaic system on the Moravian Academy campus in Bethlehem Township. Once operational, the 1.3-megawatt, ground-mounted system will generate 1.5 million kilowatt hours of energy annually, and could save the school nearly $190,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $6.1 million.

BASD East Hills Solar will receive a $354,000 solar energy program grant to install a solar photovoltaic system at Bethlehem Area School District's East Hills Middle School in Bethlehem. The 295-kilowatt, rooftop solar photovoltaic system will generate 350,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, and could save the school district nearly $44,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $1.3 million.  

BASD Farmersville Solar LLC will receive a $400,000 solar energy program grant to install a solar photovoltaic system at Bethlehem Area School District's Farmersville Elementary School in Bethlehem Township. The 400-kilowatt, ground-mounted system will generate 500,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the school district nearly $62,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $1.7 million.  

UGI Development Company will receive a $508,000 solar energy program grant to purchase and install a solar photovoltaic system at the Crayola manufacturing plant in Forks Township. The 400-kilowatt, ground-mounted system will generate 500,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the plant nearly $62,500 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $2 million.  

Blue Renewable Energy LLC will receive a $55,440 solar energy program grant to purchase and install a solar photovoltaic system on the Flat Iron Building in Bethlehem Township. The 37-kilowatt rooftop system will generate 41,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the plant nearly $5,125 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $202,191.

Philadelphia County

Blue Renewable Energy LLC will receive a $271,656 solar energy program grant to purchase and install a solar photovoltaic system on the Springside School campus in Philadelphia. The 194-kilowatt rooftop system will generate 215,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the school nearly $27,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $1 million.  

Philadelphia Port TMT Solar LLC will receive a $1.2 million solar energy program grant to purchase and install a solar photovoltaic system in Philadelphia. The 1.3-megawatt rooftop system will generate 1.4 million kilowatt hours of energy annually, which could save the Delaware River Stevedores nearly $1.8 million in energy costs every year. The total projects cost is $5.6 million.  

Schuylkill County

Citizens Fire Company #2 will receive a $57,960 solar energy program grant to purchase and install a solar photovoltaic system at its facility in Mahanoy Township.  Once operational, the 39-kilowatt rooftop system will generate 48,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually and could save it nearly $6,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $236,090.  

York County

Morningstar Marketplace Inc. will receive a $733,200 solar energy program grant to install a solar photovoltaic system near its facility in Jackson Township. Once operational, the 615-kilowatt, ground-mounted solar array will generate 735,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually and could produce nearly $92,000 in annual electricity generation. The total project cost is $2.7 million.

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare LP will receive a $1 million solar energy program grant to install a solar photovoltaic power system on its newly leased distribution center in East Manchester Township. The 3-megawatt rooftop solar photovoltaic system will generate 3.4 million kilowatt hours of energy annually and could save the facility nearly $424,000 in energy costs every year. The total project cost is $12.8 million.  

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development