News and Events
Solar Energy Technologies Office
Did you know that transitioning to a clean energy economy protects every American’s fundamental human right to a clean, healthy environment?
Biden Administration Announces $13.5m Investment in Solar Workforce
Funding from President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda Will Support Creation of Quality, Clean Energy Careers, and Supercharge America’s Clean Energy Future.
Pennsylvania’s largest coal plant is shutting down in July
The Homer City coal-burning power station – Pennsylvania’s largest coal plant – is going to be retired permanently in July 2023.
NBC Covers Philly Students Building Solar Cars
Philadelphia students are building cars powered by solar panels to take part in a race from the Philadelphia Solar Energy Association.
Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Support Agrivoltaics R&D
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, and U.S. Senator Mike Braun (R-Ind.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research, are introducing the bipartisan Agrivoltaics Research and Demonstration Act of 2023.
US invests in alternative solar tech, more solar for renters
The Biden administration announced more than $80 million in funding Thursday in a push to produce more solar panels in the U.S., make solar energy available to more people, and pursue superior alternatives to the ubiquitous sparkly panels made with silicon.
Annual Report: Use of SolarAPP+ Doubles Across the Country
By the end of 2022, the Solar Automated Permit Processing Plus (SolarAPP+) online permitting software had eliminated 134,000 days of delays for solar adopters, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) annual performance report.
PA Bill to Replicate Steelton-Highspire Schools' Solar Array
A new bill making its way through the Pennsylvania legislature would create a solar energy grant program to fund projects like the solar array located next to a high school in Steelton-Highspire School District.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Philadelphia, (pictured speaking at Steelton-Highspire School District's field of solar panels on April 25 discussing her legislation), encourages state investment in hopes of qualifying for solar project funding through the federal Inflation Reduction Act. She said that federal money could provide as much as 30 percent to 50 percent of a project’s cost.
Biden Administration Invests $82M Increases Domestic Solar Manufacturing Strengthening US Clean Energy Grid
As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $52 million for 19 selected projects, including $10 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to strengthen America’s domestic solar supply chain, and $30 million in funding for technologies that will help integrate solar energy into the grid.
PA Lawmakers Propose Grant Program to Fund Solar Projects at K-12 Schools, Colleges
Pennsylvania Democrats want to establish a solar program for Pennsylvania schools, hoping to reduce energy costs for K-12 districts and colleges and make sustainable investments.
First PA multifamily C-PACE projects close in Philly, C-PACE Hits $157MM in total investments
Nuveen Green Capital provided C-PACE financing for two new multifamily construction developments in February - one to Riverwards Group for $17.9MM and the other to Southern Land Company for $40MM.
Americans Love Solar and Want It on Their Roofs
Eighty-six percent of U.S. adults would “welcome” rooftop solar in their community, the Heatmap Climate Poll finds.
PA Surges to Top 10 in Clean Economy
Harrisburg: PA’s clean energy economy is growing rapidly – revitalizing its job market and boosting it into a position of national leadership, according to a comprehensive analysis released today by the national, nonpartisan business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs), Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance, Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, Sustainable Pittsburgh and PA Solar Center. Following Gov. Shapiro putting forth his 1st proposed budget, which proves positive for Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the state is primed for even more opportunity for growth in this sector.
PA House Bill HB137 Introduced
Representative Elizabeth Fiedler has introduced a bill establishing the Solar for Schools Grant Program. From the introduction memorandum:
“To encourage solar adoption at public schools, I plan to introduce legislation to create a Pennsylvania Solar for Schools Grant Program. “
Lancaster County Solar and EV Charger Co-op
Solar United Neighbors launched the Lancaster County Solar and EV Charger Co-op last week to help residents, small businesses and nonprofits find cost-effective ways to switch to solar.
Introduction to COMPASS Tools
Systems Thinking for Sustainability in the K-12 Classroom
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2023
9 AM - 3 PM EST
This 1-day workshop enables schools and organizations to efficiently and effectively introduce educators, administrators and support staff to the fundamentals of sustainability and systems thinking.
PA Going Solar!
PA is about to get a huge makeover. As the prices of solar panels plummet and the renewed interest in green energy rises, PA is on its way to significantly increase its solar power production, decreasing its carbon footprint and increasing its energy independence from fossil fuels.
NJ Governor Speaks
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced that NJ will ban the sale of new gasoline and diesel vehicles in the state by 2035.
Solar Without Panels?
No solar panels? No problem. There are still several ways you can harness clean energy! These options — called community solar and community choice aggregation — are steadily growing in popularity.
Solar Generation in the Dark
Solar power is a promising avenue for clean energy. Unfortunately, until now, solar panels have not been capable of generating electricity in the dark. But scientists at Stanford University have developed at solar panel that works in the dark.