On March 3, the Pennsylvania Solar Center presented nine regional companies and organizations with the prestigious Lodestar Award, a distinction given to Pennsylvania entities who are leading the way investing in clean and renewable solar energy.

Awardees were proud to accept the award at a virtual awards ceremony, and they included--

-- A. Rifkin Co., Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County

“We are honored to receive this award for our sustainability efforts,” said Darcy Buck, President of A. Rifkin Co. “Solar energy is a win-win for our company. The panels generate enough power to save the company money and further our commitment to sustainability by allowing us to manufacturing re-usable bags with the help of energy harvested from the sun.”

-- Barley Creek Brewing Company, Tannersville, Monroe County

-- Barbour Grass Fed Beef, Cogan Station, Lycoming County

“Our mission is to serve as healthy land stewards while providing high quality, ethically raised, grass-fed beef,” said Ted Barbour, owner of Barbour Grassfed Beef. “Our cattle are raised free-range on nature's basics of mother's milk, fresh water, and forage.Farming the sun is simply a natural fit.  What’s more basic, more natural, than sunshine?”

-- Clean Energy Cooperative, Honesdale, Wayne County

“On behalf of the Clean Energy Cooperative, I would like to thank the PA Solar Center for this recognition,” said Chris Weigand, President of Clean Energy Cooperative. “The Clean Energy Co-op allows me and other members to invest in renewable energy even if we cannot install solar at our homes or businesses. The Co-op offers its members a version of community solar. Rather than sharing the energy produced by the systems, our members share in modest earnings from that energy. We invite you to learn more about us at www.cleanenergy.coop. ”

-- East Lycoming School District, Lycoming County

-- Endless Energy, Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County

“Endless Energy is honored to be presented with the Lodestar award,” said Mike Pitcavage, CEO of Endless Energy. ”No matter what we are doing, we’re happy to be serving all of Pennsylvania’s Solar needs.”

-- Harmony Beverage, Blakeslee, Monroe County

-- Hemsarth Dairy, Millville, Columbia County

-- Pocono Raceway, Long Pond, Monroe County

“It is incredible to witness the progress our solar farm has made since going online over 10 years ago,” said Pocono Raceway CEO, Nick Igdalsky. “This project was our first venture into sustainability and was the foundation for our ongoing green successes. We sincerely thank the Pennsylvania Solar Center for honoring us with the Lodestar award, and we applaud the efforts of our fellow honorees. We will continue to invest in our solar initiatives, as well as the robust recycling, composting and waste diversion programs we add annually. Pocono Raceway wants to ensure we remain one of the most sustainable motorsports and entertainment facilities in the world.”

Several speakers and highlights from projects were featured at the event, including the founder and executive director of the PA Solar Center, Sharon Pillar; Sen. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe); Dr. Marleen Troy, Professor of Environmental Engineering at Wilkes University; and Chris Weigand, President of the Clean Energy Cooperative.

“We are so pleased to present these organizations with the Lodestar Award, which recognizes them for their visionary leadership in choosing to invest in sustainable solar energy,” said Sharon Pillar, Executive Director of the PA Solar Center. “Solar energy is the way of the future, and we hope that their inspiring commitment and stewardship will be lauded and emulated across the community in the years to come.”

The word Lodestar historically refers to a star used in navigation, but with the PA Solar Center’s Lodestar Award, it connotes an entity that is leading the way in its sector for leveraging solar energy.

With the award, the PA Solar Center recognizes these organizations’ inspirational leadership.

More and more Pennsylvania businesses and organizations are choosing to go solar, and not just for sustainability reasons.

Investments in renewable energy sources like solar and wind are also extremely cost-effective, paying for themselves relatively quickly and then achieving impressive cost savings down the road.

Entities that go solar wisely recognize that an investment in renewable energy is also an investment in their local communities.

Pennsylvania renewable energy projects have created almost 10,000 jobs spanning the entire supply chain since 2004, from technicians and engineers to salespeople, construction workers, and manufacturers.

And according to the Finding Pennsylvania Solar Future Project, increasing the solar portion of the state’s electricity mix from the current 0.5 percent goal to 10 percent by 2030 would create upwards of 100,000 jobs and result in a net economic benefit of $1.6 billion annually.

The current 0.5 percent goal flat-lined on May 31st of this year, but if the state’s General Assembly would increase it, they would boost economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organizations interested in potentially switching to solar energy should be sure to check out PA Solar Center’s GET Program (Galvanizing our Energy Transition), which provides technical assistance and financial guidance.

Applications for the next round will be accepted later this year; those interested can learn more by visiting the GET Program  webpage or by sending an email to info@pasolarcenter.org.  

The Pennsylvania Solar Center is a nonpartisan, nonprofit effort to raise the awareness of the benefits of solar energy in Pennsylvania. Click Here to sign up for regular updates.   Questions should be directed to Matt Mahoney by calling 412-218-0938 or send email to: matt@pasolarcenter.org.

(Photo: Barley Creek Brewing Company, Tannersville, Monroe County.)

NewsClip:

-- CitizensVoice: Nine NE PA Companies To Receive Awards For Solar Energy Leadership

Related Article:

-- New Poll Finds 81%, Bipartisan Support For Solar Power In Pennsylvania Over Other Energy Sources 

-- Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund Awards $230,000 Grant For Rooftop Solar At University Of Pittsburgh-Bradford, McKean County

[Posted: March 4, 2022]

3/7/2022