DCED: New Solar Energy Investments Reclaim Blighted Properties, Strengthen Pennsylvania's Green Economy

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary George Cornelius said today that the commonwealth is strengthening its position as a leader in clean, solar energy with new investments of more than $7 million in six new projects.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved grants for the six projects today through the Solar Energy Program. The projects—located in Lancaster, Northampton and Schuylkill counties—will leverage more than $55 million in private investments.

The solar projects will have an installed capacity of more than 12.5 megawatts and will generate at least 14,000 megawatt hours of electricity annually, or enough to power approximately 1,500 Pennsylvania homes.  In addition to generating 14,000 solar renewable energy credits a year, the systems will save their respective owners $777,000 in annual electric production over the next 20 years.  

"From helping a school district become more energy efficient to transforming a blighted coal property into a solar farm, these investments are paving the way for a cleaner, greener economy and moving the commonwealth away from more costly, traditional fuels," said Cornelius.    

"Pennsylvania is poised to become one of the top five states for solar energy installation by the end of the year. State investments in solar and other renewable energy sources help to drive down the cost of development and deployment of solar technology, and create a substantial energy savings for those who take advantage of this clean, renewable energy source," he said.

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.

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

Lancaster County

Refreshing Mountain Camp Inc. will receive a $106,314 solar energy program grant to install a cumulative 61.1-kilowatt rooftop and ground-mounted solar photovoltaic system at its facility in Clay Township. The system will generate 69,581 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, which could offset nearly $8,700 of the facility's annual electricity demand. The total project cost is $358,000.    

Northampton County

Positive Energy Pennsylvania 2 LLC will receive a $966,000 solar energy program grant to purchase and install a ground-mounted solar photovoltaic system for the Lower Nazareth Elementary School in Lower Nazareth Township. The 599.94-kilowatt system will generate 683,212 kilowatt hours of energy annually over a 20-year period, and could save the school nearly $85,400 in energy costs each year.  The total project cost is $2.3 million.

Schuylkill County

East Norwegian Solar 1 LLC will receive a $1.5 million solar energy program grant for the installation of a 3-megawatt solar farm in East Norwegian Township. Once operational, the facility, located on 20 acres of unproductive coal property, will generate approximately 3.4 million-kilowatt hours of energy annually and could produce nearly $170,800 in annual electricity generation. The total project cost is $15.1 million.

Ryan Solar 1 LLC will receive a $1.5 million solar energy program grant to install a 3-megawatt solar farm on 28 acres in Ryan Township. Once operational, this facility will generate approximately 3.4 million kilowatt hours of energy annually, worth $170,800. The total project cost is $15 million.

Blythe Water Authority Solar 1 LLC will receive a $1.5 million solar energy program grant to install a solar farm near the Silver Creek Reservoir in Blythe Township on 21.2 acres of unproductive land. The 3-megawatt facility will generate more than 3.4 million kilowatt hours of energy annually, and could produce nearly $170,800 in annual electricity generation. The total project cost is $14.9 million.  

A second 3-megawatt solar farm will be build on a 20-acre parcel of unused land adjacent to the Silver Creek Reservoir property with the help of a $1.5 million solar energy program grant to Blythe Solar 1 LLC. Once operational, this facility will generate approximately 3.4 million kilowatt hours of energy annually and could produce nearly $170,800 in annual electricity generation. The total project cost is $14.9 million.    

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor