Clean energy developer Community Energy announced the approval of a 70-MW solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in Adams County, Pennsylvania, to power government facilities in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia signed with clean power producer Community Energy to power 22% of its municipal buildings with a 70-MW solar PPA.
The Adams Solar project will produce enough electricity to operate 22% of Philadelphia government buildings by 2020. The project is the largest in Pennsylvania by sevenfold, and a step toward the city’s clean energy goal of sourcing 100% of its electricity from renewables by 2030.
Adams Solar will sell 100% of its power under a 20-year contract to The Philadelphia Energy Authority, an independent city agency. The project will generate 156 GWh of energy in the first year of operation, eliminating more than 4 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the life of the project.
“The Philadelphia solar commitment demonstrates impressive and much-needed leadership on climate change in Pennsylvania,” said Brent Alderfer, co-founder and CEO of Community Energy. “As the costs of climate change go up, Philadelphia is showing the way for municipalities to secure reliable, long-term solar power to decarbonize and head off irreversible climate damage.”
An Economic Opportunity Plan will incorporate minority, women and disabled-person owned businesses into the Adams Solar project. Job fairs for sub-contractors and the workforce will be held in both Philadelphia and Adams County. Community Energy’s efforts will connect to existing solar training opportunities, such as recent Philadelphia Energy Authority initiatives.
This latest solar project by Community Energy reflects shifting energy production and sourcing trends that extend well beyond the state of Pennsylvania. According to a report by GTM Research and SEIA, constituents are calling on government officials to set renewable energy goals that will bring reliable, climate-friendly energy to their communities. As requests for clean power translate into municipal sustainability goals, the industry is witnessing an acceleration of utility-scale project deployment and that growth is expected to continue.
“This project not only helps Philadelphia demonstrate leadership on climate action, but it also makes good economic sense and helps to boost regional job growth in the renewable energy sector,” said mayor Jim Kenney. “We thank councilwoman Reynolds Brown, the Philadelphia Energy Authority and Community Energy for their partnership in creating this win-win deal for Philadelphians.”
News item from Community Energy
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