Solar honorees in Washington County
Washington County Observer-Reporter
June 26, 2021
One company and two organizations from Washington County – and the county itself – were in the limelight recently for their solar initiatives.
Pennsylvania Solar Center, which provides technical assistance to nonprofits and businesses that are transitioning to solar energy, presented Lodestar Awards to four entities each in Washington and Beaver counties.
The awards, according to a news release, go to entities statewide that are at the forefront of “investing in clean and renewable solar energy.” They were presented during a virtual ceremony in late May.
Washington County was so honored, along with Greenetech Manufacturing (in South Strabane Township, Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Chartiers Township and Greater Washington County Food Bank in Centerville.
In June 2019, GreeneTech became the first county business with rooftop solar to completely offset its energy consumption through that renewable.
Scott Becker, executive director and chief executive officer, said during the ceremony the Trolley Museum had a 36-kilowatt photovoltaic system installed in 2009. He said the system lowered electricity cost, allowing the museum “to use those avoided costs for its public programming. It also has created a wonderful educational opportunity to teach schoolchildren and visitors the importance of solar energy in electricity generation.”
Justin McAtee, marketing director of Greater Washington County Food Bank, said: “Food banking is an industry that many cannot see as being an ‘innovative industry.’ But we love proving them wrong.
“As The FARM (at the food bank) expands operations and educational opportunities, we proudly detail how the solar array has allowed us to offset the cost of our electric utility over the year, and how we can place an emphasis on sustainability.”
The Beaver County honorees were Kretschmann Organic Farm, Acutran Transformers, Eaton Corp. and Felician Sisters of North America.
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