The Commonwealth Financing Agency this week approved more than $10 million in new investments in 12 solar energy projects.

The total installed capacity of the planned projects is a little more than 9.1 megawatts, or enough to power approximately 1,000 homes.

“From helping a school district become more energy efficient, to transforming a brownfield once used as a fruit waste site into a solar field, we’re helping to pave the way for a cleaner, greener economy in Pennsylvania,” Gov. Rendell said. “Pennsylvania is committed to creating a vibrant solar industry because it is of strategic importance to our state’s future. By the end of 2010, thanks in large part to the programs and policies we’ve enacted since 2003with the help of the legislature, we expect that Pennsylvania will rank in the top five states for solar.”

The Commonwealth Financing Authority administers Pennsylvania's economic stimulus programs, including portions of the $650 million Alternative Energy Investment Fund.