The Stone House Group

Pennsylvania Solar Energy Program (SEP) Awards Grants to Five PAISBOA Schools | July 14 2010

On July 7, 2010 the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) announced grant awards funded from the Pennsylvania Solar Energy Program (SEP) . During this round of funding, a total of 37 projects were funded from approximately 70 applications, distributing $18 million to a variety of schools, businesses, and municipalities. In total, the funded projects will have an installed capacity of 24 megawatts of solar electricity and will generate approximately 26,600 megawatt hours of solar electricity annually.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority administers Pennsylvania's economic stimulus programs, including the source of Solar Energy Program funds which originated from the $650 million Alternative Energy Investment Fund that Governor Rendell signed into law in 2008. The SEP began in July 2009 and has awarded over $90 million to 96 organizations. The total installed capacity of all programs will be 75 megawatts which exceeds the original program goal to fund the installation of 65 megawatts of solar electricity. The average grant value for all projects was $1.25/watt.

All five pioneers in the 1st Phase of the PAISENERGY Solar Panel Program were successful in obtaining grants from the PA Solar Energy Program. Ancillae-Assumpta Academy , Church Farm School , Delaware Valley Friends School , Moravian Academy and Springside School are participating in Phase 1. Over $3 million was awarded to the PAISBOA schools via Blue Renewable Energy. The PAISBOA projects are being developed by EOS Ventures on behest of CL&I, the financial arm of Blue Renewable Energy, the ultimate long term owner of the projects. The projects will produce over 3 megawatt hours of solar electricity annually and will reduce annual electric costs by $105,445. PAISBOA schools received 17% of the funds distributed by the DCED, and will produce 12% of the solar electricity of all 37 projects that received funding.

The PAISENERGY Solar Panel Program was created by PAISBOA in conjunction with PAISBOA's energy advisor, The Stone House Group. The Stone House Group initially partnered with PAISBOA to create a broad based energy program. The initiative now provides member schools with competitive energy procurement and demand response programs. Alteris Renewables and EOS Ventures were selected as partners with PAISBOA to create Phase I of the Program. Alteris will serve as solar system installer in the PAISENERGY Solar Panel Program. Alteris is a full service renewable energy systems integrator and project developer providing solar electric, solar thermal and wind energy solutions for residential, commercial, educational and institutional clients. EOS Ventures is a renewable energy company that finances and develops solar and wind projects. EOS will own and maintain the solar arrays with the expertise to take advantage of all available tax credits and environmental benefits.