Contact: Kira Costanza, 610-489-1105, kira@sunpowerbuilders.com
SOLAR TAKES OFF IN PA with LAUNCH OF REBATE PROGRAM
Collegeville, PA – May 18, 2009 – On Monday, the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) begins accepting rebate applications for residential and small business solar energy installations. The rebate program, called the PA Sunshine Program, was approved by the legislature last July under Gov. Rendell’s $650 million Alternative Energy Funding Act, and allots $100 million for the Commonwealth’s new solar initiative.
In the wake of the new program, new solar companies are cropping up throughout our region. PA has an aggressive Renewable Portfolio Standard, with 225 mW of required solar installed by the year 2015, and a developing SREC market. Thousands of kilowatts of PV are expected to be installed in the first year of the program, SunPower Solar alone has nearly 30 contracts in queue to receive funding. Once a 3 person operation, SunPower’s staff of 20 now looks forward to hiring more installers and office staff, as well as increasing its office facilities to accommodate the business’s growth in 2009.
The beginning of the program may present a bumpy ride, as thousands of applications are filed in the first few days and the state grapples with new procedures and a lack of personnel to administer the program. In addition, the solar Thermal (solar water heating) portion of the program will be opening one week late, as a result of problems with the online application. However, PA is the first state in the US to open up a state-wide solar thermal program and its energy policy is quite progressive, ensuring a bright future for solar in PA. SunPower Solar has worked with legislators, the Mid-Atlantic Solar Energy Industries Association (MSEIA), and others throughout this program’s development. As Ron Celentano, VP for MSEIA, states, “MSEIA worked very hard to help shape the Sunshine program design. Although not all of our recommendations were included, we are very happy to see this program finally launch.”
In addition to the PA Sunshine Program, several other initiatives are opening in our state to fund solar energy projects. The Commonwealth Financing Authority has also opened its Solar Energy Program, for larger solar projects as well as R&D and manufacturing. Details on this program can be found at http://www.newpa.com/. The DEP is also accepting applications for Pennsylvania Economic Development Authority (PEDA) grants, which can be used for large-scale, innovative solar projects, and hopes to open a new program for nonprofits and municipalities called PA Conservation Works! in mid-June. Information on these, as well as the PA Sunshine Program can be found at www.depweb.state.pa.us/energindependent.
About SunPower Solar, Est. 1972 – SunPower is now in our 4th decade of solar installations and energy efficient design and construction. SunPower has compiled a diverse portfolio of projects, bound by the common threads of fine design, high quality craftsmanship and energy efficiency. More information on SunPower’s projects, experience and how to get started with solar energy can be found at http://www.sunpowerbuilders.com/
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