PHILADELPHIA, PA — A new analysis from the Philadelphia Energy Authority and the PA Solar Center suggests that hundreds of businesses, nonprofits, schools, and other organizations across the Greater Philadelphia region could collectively save more than $340 million over 25 years by switching to solar power.
The estimate—equivalent to roughly $13.6 million in annual savings—comes from a solar-mapping effort that examined 297 entities across low-income and disadvantaged communities in the region’s five counties. The findings highlight what officials describe as a vast, largely untapped opportunity for organizations to stabilize energy costs while reducing long-term operating expenses.
“This is just a small sampling of the solar potential in southeastern Pennsylvania,” said Lisa Shulock, Director of Commercial Programs at the Philadelphia Energy Authority. She said additional savings could be far greater if more property owners undergo evaluations through the Solarize Greater Philadelphia program. “We encourage any of the region’s property owners to reach out to us to confirm that they’re a good candidate for solar energy.”
The Solarize Greater Philadelphia initiative links PEA with the PA Solar Center to help organizations assess whether solar could lower their electricity bills. The PA Solar Center’s GET Solar program offers technical assistance—often at no cost—to evaluate solar feasibility, identify funding sources, and connect participants with qualified developers. Available tax credits and financing tools can offset 30 to 50 percent or more of project installation costs.
“Our GET Solar program has helped organizations divert savings from solar to the missions of their organizations, as well as to hiring more workers and creating economic opportunities in their communities,” said Sharon Pillar, Founder and Executive Director of the PA Solar Center. She noted that more than 400 organizations are now enrolled in the GET Solar program, including 60 school districts, municipalities, nonprofits, businesses, and farms.
The projected regional savings were identified earlier this year during volunteer mapping sessions using PV Watts modeling software. PEA and the PA Solar Center are now contacting the nearly 300 entities identified as strong solar candidates and encouraging them to undergo pre-screening for participation in GET Solar.
Organizations interested in determining their solar potential can learn more or request an assessment at https://solarizegreaterphl.org/business-form/.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.