Contacts:
Emily Schapira
Philadelphia Energy Authority
215-686-4483
eschapira@philaenergy.org
Joe Grace
Philadelphia City Council
215-686-3437
215-964-7093 (cell)
Joe.Grace@phila.gov
Philadelphia, PA – The Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) kicked off Philly’s annual Solar Week announcing the latest numbers from the Solarize Philly program – a rooftop solar program designed to help all Philadelphians go solar. As of this Solar Week, 2,000 households have contracted to put solar on their roofs through Solarize Philly, making it the largest program of its kind in the nation. Solarize Philly customers are generating 10.5 megawatts of power, equivalent to 60 football fields of solar, made up of thousands of rowhouse rooftops.
PEA proudly joins City leadership in recognizing the clean energy workforce driving this success and making the growth of Philly’s clean energy economy possible as we kick off Philadelphia Solar Week.
Now in its fifth year, Solar Week is a week-long celebration of the benefits of solar, from lowering utility bills to creating high growth, family-supporting jobs. Solarize Philly represents $36 million of solar investment since 2016, and PEA has paired this program with workforce development programming targeting historically marginalized populations.
“Philly’s solar market is fast-growing and we need a local, skilled, and diverse workforce to keep up with this clean energy transition, said Emily Schapira, President & CEO of the Philadelphia Energy Authority. “We’re delighted to run workforce programs including Bright Solar Futures and the Green Retrofit Immersive Training Program that prepare and connect Philadelphians to well-paying clean energy jobs.”
“As we invest in clean energy in Philadelphia, it matters who benefits from this economic growth,” said Darrell Clarke, President of Philadelphia City Council. “PEA’s direct pipeline between clean energy jobs and local skilled labor means that the benefits of solar reach all communities in Philadelphia.”
PEA partners with local workforce leadership like Philadelphia Works through the federal Good Jobs Challenge, and industry partners like Sol Systems, Solar States, PECO and others. Patricia Blumenauer, COO at Philadelphia Works says, “We share a vision to create quality jobs, nurture talent, and champion responsible stewardship of our environment as a legacy for generations to come.”
“We aim to provide accessible education, training, and opportunities that align with the evolving needs of the solar landscape,” says Adaora Ifebigh, Senior Director of Impact at Sol System. “Together, we are fostering a community that is prepared to lead the way in the clean energy transition, driving innovation and inclusivity every step of the way.”
“We are proud to have partnered with PEA since the inception of the Solarize Philly program,” says Jared Pashko, Head of Revenue Development at Solar States. “We have seen a huge growth in solar installations over this time period and are committed to workforce development and training for Philadelphians from every zip code to ensure that everyone benefits from this growth.”
“Supporting solar energy in the Greater Philadelphia region is a top priority for PECO as we work to ensure a cleaner, brighter future for our customers and the communities we serve,” said Jenn Hanna, Vice President of Electric Operations at PECO. “Developing the workforce that will help us build a cleaner energy future is an integral part of our Path to Clean, and we are proud to partner with PEA and other organizations to invest in education and job training programs in our region. We look forward to Solar Week every year, as it provides a great opportunity to share information and collaborate with city leaders and solar industry representatives to further the growth of solar energy across southeastern Pennsylvania.”
Philadelphia Solar Week runs August 14-18, with events, a solar tour, and webinars tailored to homeowners of all income and credit levels, commercial property owners, and those in and interested in solar businesses. For details, visit https://solarizephilly.org/events/.
About Philadelphia Energy Authority
The Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) is an independent municipal authority focused on building a robust, equitable clean energy economy for Philadelphia. With the leadership of City Council President Darrell Clarke, PEA runs the Philadelphia Energy Campaign, a $1 billion, 10-year investment in energy efficiency and clean energy projects to create 10,000 jobs. PEA has supported over $380 million in projects and created nearly 3,300 jobs so far. Learn more at www.philaenergy.org.
About Philadelphia City Council
Philadelphia City Council is the legislative arm of Philadelphia municipal government. Keep up with Council on phlcouncil.com and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
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