Press Release: September 26th, 2024
Press Release September 26th, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2024
Contact: Gretchen Dlugolecki, Rapport Communications
Mobile: 401-301-0138
Email: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
14 Philadelphia entities honored by PA Solar Center at “Sunset Soiree” held at solar-powered Yards
Brewing Co.
The nonprofit’s Lodestar Award was given to Philadelphia organizations who have gone solar, including
local businesses, municipalities, and nonprofits
Philadelphia, PA – Tonight the Pennsylvania Solar Center honored 14 Philadelphia organizations with the
prestigious Lodestar Award during their Sunset Soiree at solar-powered Yards Brewing Company. The
Lodestar Award is a distinction given to Pennsylvania entities who are leading the way investing in clean
and renewable solar energy. Awardees included:
• ASPIRA Charter School
• Byrne Federal Courthouse
• Copper Flats
• Exact Solar
• Germantown Jewish Centre
• Onion Flats
• Philadelphia Energy Authority
• Philadelphia Solar Energy Association
• SEPTA
• Solar States
• State Representative Elizabeth Fiedler
• University of Pennsylvania
• Yards Brewing Comp
Sponsors included Petawatt sponsor CEP Renewables; Terawatt sponsors BAI Group, BOW Renewables, EIS Solar, Formation Energy, Limaye Foundation, and the PA Solar and Storage Industries Association; and Gigawatt sponsors Energy Toolbase, Independence Solar, Leeward Renewable Energy, and RWE.
The event featured remarks from state Representative Elizabeth Fiedler, Philadelphia Energy Authority, Solar States and the PA Solar Center’s executive director, Sharon Pillar, as well as showcased the solar arrays of the Lodestar Awardees.
The luminous evening was also filled with fantastic solar-powered food and beverages, as well as solar industry networking. About 100 guests got in the solar spirit by wearing the beautiful colors of the sun and sun-themed accessories.
“The PA Solar Center is excited to host our Sunset Soiree, and we’re thrilled to honor so many wonderful local organizations,” said Sharon Pillar, Founder and Executive Director of the PA Solar Center. “Solar is becoming an increasingly big player in the energy landscape across the country, thanks to its cost-efficiency and sustainability. With energy bills rising an average of 40-50 percent over the past few years, and poised to go up another 29 percent next year, now is a great time to consider going solar. Especially considering all the tax incentives the Inflation Reduction Act has to offer.”
More and more Pennsylvania businesses, schools, and organizations are choosing to go solar, and not just for sustainability reasons. Investments in renewable energy sources like solar and wind are also extremely cost-effective, paying for themselves relatively quickly and then achieving impressive cost savings down the road.
A new report found that more than $13.1 billion could be invested in Pennsylvania over the next seven years, and 129,000 jobs could be created, if policymakers increase the Commonwealth’s clean energy standards in line with Governor Shapiro’s “30% renewable energy by 2030” campaign pledge. The report’s analysis is based on the framework provided for in House Bill 1467, which would increase the AEPS ‘Tier 1’ renewable energy requirement to 30% by 2030, via 14% from solar energy produced in Pennsylvania and 16% from renewable energy produced either in or out-of- state. The report’s authors expected that similar AEPS plans would likely produce similar costs and benefits projections. Tier 1 resources include solar, wind, low-impact hydropower, geothermal, and several other energy resources.?
QUOTES FROM LODESTAR AWARD WINNERS:
“Solar is core to lowering energy burden and providing long-term affordability for all Pennsylvanians. It also happens to create jobs and economic opportunity, all while fighting the worst effects of climate change,” said Emily Schapira, President & CEO of the Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA.) “PEA is honored to be recognized by the PA Solar Center and to stand with so many of our friends, allies and partners to build an equitable clean energy economy in PA.”
“The University of Pennsylvania, in partnership with The AES Corporation, has developed an historic Power Purchase Agreement and constructed the largest solar power facilities in the Commonwealth, moving the University significantly closer to meeting its commitment of a 100% carbon neutral campus.? Penn will continue to demonstrate strong leadership on climate action and explore innovations in energy technology to create a cleaner, greener future for all.”?– Anne Papageorge, Senior Vice President, University of Pennsylvania.
“This is an exciting opportunity for the Germantown Jewish Centre community to continue our work to reduce CO2 emissions, save operating costs every month in the future, and support the mission of our Early Childcare Program in the School Building.? Many thanks to our Green Team, House & Design Committee, and Solar States for all their hard work. And thanks to the Inflation Recovery Act for the incentive program that helps so many non-profits like GJC.” – Sherman Aronson, Germantown Jewish Centre
“We are honored to receive the Lodestar Award from the PA Solar Center. At Exact Solar, we are committed to helping homeowners and businesses achieve energy independence in a way that’s both affordable and sustainable. We’re grateful to be part of this important movement and are dedicated to expanding the benefits of solar energy to more Pennsylvanians. Thank you to the PA Solar Center for recognizing our efforts and sharing our vision of a greener future.” – Alyssa Morley, Marketing Manager, Exact Solar
“Solar States is delighted to have been nominated for this Pennsylvania-focused solar award by our longtime friends at the PA Solar Center. Lord knows we’ve all been working together long enough to try to get solar policy in PA set right, and every solar project that gets built and especially those that will be showcased at this year’s lodestar event brings a smile to the face of the determined folks in the solar industry here in hardscrabble PA. A big shout out ot the PA solar center for almost a decade of leading us towards growth and copious clean energy and solar projects here in the Commonwealth. Last but not least, we are delighted to be helping host the event at Philly’s favorite beer hall, Yards Brewery, where we built a 740 kW array that powers the brewery and the City Archives located next door.” – Todd?Baylson, Business Development, Solar States
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.??
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Up Next: Our September 2024 newsletter