PENNSYLVANIA — On Thursday, June 5, the Pennsylvania Solar Center celebrated 19 organizations across the state for their innovation and commitment to renewable energy at the Lodestar Awards ceremony. The award, presented to standout solar adopters, recognizes efforts to transition to clean energy and contribute to sustainability while generating economic benefits.
This year’s honorees included a diverse group of organizations ranging from businesses and nonprofits to schools and religious institutions. Notable recipients included the University of Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, and Hess Brothers Fruit Company. Each awardee was recognized for their unique approach to solar integration, with several highlighting substantial cost savings that allowed reinvestment into their missions and operations.
Sharon Pillar, Founder and Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Solar Center, lauded the awardees’ leadership. “Solar is becoming an increasingly big player in the energy landscape across the country, thanks to its cost-efficiency and sustainability,” she said during the event. Pillar urged lawmakers to prioritize solar-friendly policies, emphasizing the potential to create thousands of jobs and accelerate economic growth in Pennsylvania.
Among the featured speakers, Cindy Dunn, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), delivered the keynote. “The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is using solar energy as part of our broader commitment to sustainably managing the Commonwealth’s natural spaces,” she said. Dunn emphasized the environmental and public benefits of solar expansion, commending the honorees’ efforts to drive adoption forward.
The economic gains associated with solar energy were central to the celebration. NEPA Youth Shelter’s Maureen Maher-Gray shared that solar panel installation will save the nonprofit nearly $78,856 over 25 years, providing funds to expand vital community services. Similarly, the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum highlighted $65,000 in annual utility savings thanks to its photovoltaic systems, enabling more resources for educational programming.
Solar energy, identified as the fastest-growing energy source nationwide, has empowered entities like the University of Pittsburgh to reduce operating costs and expand sustainability initiatives. The university reported that its new rooftop solar arrays on campus buildings would deliver annual electricity savings exceeding $25,000.
Awardees also highlighted solar projects’ environmental importance. Chuck Rakaczky of St. Teresa of Kolkata Parish noted that their solar panels align with a commitment to protecting the environment while redirecting savings into social outreach programs. “Our Parish is proud to be the first in the Diocese of Pittsburgh to commit to the goal of protecting our common home with our solar panel project,” he said.
As the event concluded, participants voiced optimism for Pennsylvania’s solar future, stressing the need for state policies to advance large-scale adoption. The honorees’ achievements exemplify the economic, social, and environmental potential of solar energy in reshaping the state’s energy landscape.
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