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September 3, 2010

Pennsylvania Governor calls for increase in solar target

Pennsylvania Governor Edward G Rendell said failing to set higher solar targets could hurt the state economy

Pennsylvania’s Governor Edward G Rendell has called on state lawmakers to increase clean energy portfolio standards.

In particular, the Governor wants to see an increase in the amount of electricity utilities must provide from solar power projects.

He said the move would translate into more jobs and economic development in Pennsylvania.

At the moment, it risks losing out to neighboring states that have now adopted more ambitious targets.

Legislation adopted in 2004 requires that 0.5% of the electricity purchased in Pennsylvania should come from solar power by 2021.

Among its neighbors, Delaware has a 3.5% target for 2025, Maryland a 2% target for 2025 and New Jersey a 4% target to be achieved by 2021.

“The solar industry has grown at a rapid pace despite the uncertain economy,” said Governor Rendell. “Investors and developers have proven anxious and eager to invest in clean solar energy projects. Venture capitalists alone poured $1.4 billion into the industry last year.

“Pennsylvania could attract a larger share of that action if we just increased the solar share of our portfolio standards law.”

Pennsylvania now has more than 39 megawatts of installed solar capacity, enough to power around 5,900 homes.

Funding

The governor’s call for more ambitious targets came as he announced the award of $20.5 million of state funding for 40 energy projects, including some significant solar facilities.

The funding is expected to support efforts that will bring in more than $200 million in private sector funding.

Among those receiving the funds are Community Energy Inc., which will gain $1 million to support its $65 million project to develop a 15 megawatt solar facility in Lancaster, expected to be one of the largest solar photovoltaic installations in the eastern United States.

Gov Rendell said: “Unless we move now to increase our solar share—even to a modest 1.5 percent target — the types of projects we’re announcing today won’t even consider Pennsylvania. They’ll look elsewhere and take their jobs with them. And the 600 solar businesses now operating in Pennsylvania may move to another state where the sun shines brighter. Not acting on this issue now will only hurt our economy in the long-run.”

The 40 energy projects receiving funding, which include other renewable energy technologies than solar, are expected to support 1,400 jobs.