Dec 22 2009
Governor Edward G. Rendell said that Pennsylvania, after the approval by Commonwealth Financing Authority for 12 new green energy projects with investments of more than $10 million, is strengthening its position as a leader in solar energy. The proposed projects will have a total installed capacity of slightly more than 9.1 MW, which is enough supply power to about 1,000 homes.
Governor Rendell said that the state is initiating many steps to become cleaner such as providing help to a school district to become energy efficient and turning a fruit waste site into a solar field. Rendell further said that since solar industry is vital to the state’s future, Pennsylvania will provide all support for the solar industry. He hoped that Pennsylvania will be ranked in the top five states for solar energy by the end of 2010.
The projects approved by Commonwealth Financing Authority are listed below:
Adams County: A $84,240 solar energy program grant to Adams Electric Cooperative to install at its headquarters in Cumberland Township a ground-mounted solar generation system. The cooperative is planning to install about 192 solar panels and the total cost of the project is $321,006.
Allegheny County: A $505,000 solar energy program grant to Flabeg Solar U.S. Corp. The grant will be utilized by the company to purchase and install equipment for a second silvering line at its Findlay Township’s facility. Silver finish is applied to parabolic solar mirrors in this facility and due to increased demand for solar mirrors, the second line was necessitated. The total project of the cost is $9.3 million.
Allegheny County plans to install a rooftop solar thermal system on the Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh. It will receive a $154,068 solar energy program grant and the total cost of the project is $308,136.
Chester County: Tredyffrin Township plans to install a photovoltaic system on top of turnpike sound barrier walls in the township. The total cost of the project is $245,000 and the township will receive a solar grant of $31,500.
Cumberland County: Big Spring School District and Knouse Foods Cooperative will receive $35,000 and $3.5 million solar energy grants respectively. Big Spring School District plans to install a photovoltaic roof panel system at the proposed Plainfield Elementary School in West Pennsboro Township. Knouse Foods Cooperative will be commissioning a 3.155-megawatt photovoltaic generating facility at a site that was fruit waste 25 years ago.
Dauphin County: A $3 million solar energy grant for the Lower Paxton Township to install a 3-megawatt solar photovoltaic system at its landfill. The total cost of the project is $16 million.
Luzerne County: A $2.1 million solar energy for Romark Logistics of PA to build a 2-megawatt rooftop solar array at its Hazle Township’s facility. The total cost of the project is $9.5 million.
Montgomery County: Harleysville Mutual Insurance and SKF USA will receive $355,000 and $346,000 solar grants respectively. Harleysville Mutual Insurance proposes to install a 510.6-kilowatt rooftop solar photovoltaic system at its Lower Salford Township facility. SKF USA will be installing a 411.3-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system at its headquarters Kulpsville.
Philadelphia County: IBEW Local Union 98 plans to install a solar photovoltaic system on the roof of its business office and has been approved a $13,590 solar energy program grant. The cost of the project is $84,324.
Source: www.newpa.com