Nearly $23 million in grants and loans that have been released from Pennsylvania’s $650-million Alternative Energy Investment Fund (AEIF) will triple the state’s solar capacity, Governor Edward G. Rendell said yesterday (July 15). Eight projects from seven locations will benefit from the funding, as approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

"From a 134-acre solar park in the northeast to hot water heaters for Pittsburgh firehouses, Pennsylvania is investing in its energy future. Even in this economic downturn, we're creating jobs, expanding Pennsylvania's manufacturing base and producing more environmentally-friendly, home-grown energy options. These projects -- which will also help consumers, businesses and local governments lower their energy costs and fossil fuel consumption -- illustrate how Pennsylvania is becoming a leader in the renewable energy," Governor Rendell said.

The beneficiary projects, by county, are:

1) Allegheny County – The amount of $47,000 towards a $94,000 project on solar hot water heater installation at five firehouses will go to Pittsburgh city. Training will be given to city employees to enable them to help on installation and to prepare them for similar projects.

2) Carbon County – A $5.5-million grant for a 10-megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant in Nesquehoning Borough goes to PA Solar Park LLC of Conshohocken. The project is part of the $78-million, 134-acre PA Solar Park under development by Green Energy Capital Partners in Carbon County. PA Solar Park, projected to produce enough power for 1,450 homes, is the US’ second largest photovoltaic energy facility.

3) Montgomery County – Two Montgomery projects were given grants. A $1-million grant toward an $11.3-million, 1.6-megawatt solar photovoltaic system that can produce about 22% of the electricity for the Upper Gwynedd Township facility will go to the said county. Solar Roofing Systems Inc., or SRS Energy, will also receive a $430,000 grant for the acquisition of $7.3 million in equipment to manufacture solar roofing tile in Lansdale.

4) Philadelphia – A $1-million grant for a $5.1-million project to install a 695-kilowatt rooftop solar photovoltaic system on its ShopRite Supermarket in Cheltenham was given to Brown’s Super Store Inc. At least 283 jobs are expected from the project.

5) Schuylkill County – A loan for $1.6 million for a $5.4-million solar photovoltaic system on the roof of the H.H. Fessler Knitting Co. Inc.'s Deer Lake facility in West Brunswick Township was granted to Orwigsburg-based Meck Energy Partners LLC. At least 881 kilowatts is expected from the system.

6) Westmoreland County – The Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland will get a $13.1-million loan on behalf of Solar Power Industries (SPI) Inc. SPI is purchasing $40 million worth of solar photovoltaic manufacturing equipment to build a 100-megawatt photovoltaic module manufacturing facility in an area that Sony will be vacating in Mount Pleasant Township. Around 375 new jobs are expected from the project while retaining 120 over the next three years.

7) York County – A $4,500 grant will go to Leg up Farm Inc. for a solar hot water system in its East Manchester Township developmental and therapeutic center for children with special needs.

The AEIF which will fund the projects was signed into law by Governor Rendell this July.


- Jen Balboa

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