PHILADELPHIA, PA — The City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) kick off the second annual Philadelphia Solar Week, encouraging Philadelphians to go solar to help drive the economic recovery. PEA reopened Solarize Philly on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day this year, providing free remote solar assessments and a new Solar Savings Grant Program to include households of all income levels. Installations for the program have resumed in line with COVID safety guidelines. Interested property owners can sign up at solarizephilly.org.
“Going solar in 2020 will not only move us toward our climate goals but is also good for our economy,” Mayor Jim Kenney said. “Solar Week is an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come and to support each other to do more to accelerate Philadelphia’s transition to clean energy.”
“The Philadelphia Energy Campaign positions us as a national leader in leveraging clean energy projects to drive equitable economic development,” said Council President Darrell Clarke (5th District). “We know that solar lowers electric bills, creates living wage jobs, and reduces our climate impact. Let’s continue to take the lead by powering Philadelphia’s New Normal with solar energy.”
Solarize Philly is a group buying program to help all Philadelphians go solar. The largest program of its kind in the nation, Solarize Philly has facilitated a $10 million investment in Philadelphia’s clean energy economy since 2017 and created 94 jobs. Solarize Philly’s Solar Savings Grant Program provides grants paired with financing to low- and moderate-income households to go solar at no upfront cost, and with utility bill savings from Year 1. PEA started consultations for the Solar Savings Grant Program in August 2020. Spots in the Grant Program are limited, so interested households are encouraged to sign up now at solarizephilly.org.
“The Solar Savings Grant Program made it possible to solarize my house, something that would have been financially out of my reach at this time. For me, going Solar is a critical and responsible step towards reducing non-renewable energy and combating climate change,” stated Megan Biddle, the first participant to sign a solar contract through the Solar Savings Grant Program.
“Philadelphia City Council is proud to encourage Philadelphians to take advantage of the benefits of solar through the second annual Philadelphia Solar Week. Whether you are a property owner considering solar for your roof or a job seeker looking for a clean energy career, Philadelphia Solar Week has something for you,” added Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson (At-Large), Chair of the Committee on the Environment.
Philadelphia Solar Week includes a full schedule of online events, including events for homeowners and businesses on how to go solar, a session on Doing Solar Business in Philadelphia, a Friday keynote and graduation ceremony for the 2020 Bright Solar Futures trainees. Job seekers are invited to attend a career panel on clean energy careers, and PEA put out a call for youth to submit artwork for a Solar Art Competition, with prizes sponsored by PECO. All events will take place virtually, and event details can be found at solarizephilly.org.
“In Philadelphia, we know solar creates savings, fights climate change and produces high quality local jobs,” said PEA’s Executive Director Emily Schapira. “Our second annual Solar Week will celebrate the growth of solar in our region, share the benefits of solar for the COVID recovery, and jumpstart careers for those who are positioned to benefit the most.”
In addition to Solarize Philly and the Solar Savings Grant Program, PEA also leads Bright Solar Futures, a workforce development initiative to establish the nation’s first Solar Energy Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at Frankford High School. Rising 10th grade students are eligible to enroll now in the inaugural Frankford solar class which will start this Fall. PEA also offers solar training for young adults age 18-30 through a paid training fellowship in partnership with PowerCorpsPHL. Bright Solar Futures is supported by an award from the U.S. Department of Energy and sponsorship by PECO.
About Philadelphia Energy Authority
The Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) is an independent municipal authority created in 2010 to advance clean and affordable energy goals for the City. PEA has facilitated over $100 million in clean energy projects in Philadelphia since 2017, creating more than over 1,000 jobs. PEA’s $1 billion Philadelphia Energy Campaign, launched in 2016 with the leadership of City Council President Darrell Clarke, will create 10,000 jobs by 2026 through the implementation of clean energy and energy efficiency projects. For more information visit www.philaenergy.org.
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