On May 15, the Pennsylvania Solar Center announced a Request for Proposals from certified solar developers on behalf of East Penn School District in Macungie, Lehigh County.

The school district will consider proposals from qualified solar companies between now and June 14, 2024, in an effort to decide whether or not to go solar.

EPSD and the PA Solar Center will also co-host a virtual presentation on May 20 at 11:00 a.m.  with more details on the RFP for any interested parties.

Developers responding to this RFP should demonstrate experience designing, planning, permitting, constructing, maintaining, and financing solar electric systems; have the ability and financial resources to offer a Power Purchase Agreement to the site host or work collaboratively with others to do so; have relationships with/knowledge of local utilities and interconnection procedures; and meet other requirements outlined in the RFP.

Interested developers will need to undergo a short screening process to receive the RFP and can express interest by sending a message to amelia@pasolarcenter.org.

“East Penn School District is striving to control our energy expenses and reduce our carbon footprint by potentially transitioning to solar energy, and we are looking for a developer to help us explore our options,” said Steven Onushco, Facilities Director of EPSD. “Our schools have certainly not been immune to the effects of inflation and other rising costs, and with the federal Inflation Reduction Act offering cost-saving incentives to go solar, there may not be a better time to make the switch.”

“The PA Solar Center has been honored to help East Penn begin their solar journey, and now it is our goal to help EPSD find a qualified solar developer,” said Amelia Eggan, Senior Program Manager at the PA Solar Center. “Hopefully we can find a path forward to saving the school district some major money that would be better spent serving their students.”

Solar energy is the fastest growing energy in the country and is saving schools, businesses, nonprofits, communities, and residents thousands to millions of dollars in utility bills.

Solar helps organizations hedge against volatile electricity pricing by providing significant savings and stable pricing.

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.

(Photo: Scranton Times: Tunkhannock Area School District OKs $10 Million Solar Energy Deal [To Reduce Energy Costs, Avoid Price Spikes Of Natural Gas].)

Resource Links:

-- Our Solar PA: Solar Energy Is Key To Unlocking Our Clean Energy Future

-- Pennsylvania Solar Center: G.E.T. Solar, Help For Making The Transition

-- Penn State Extension Energy Essentials: Solar Panel Glare An Issue?  Estimating Emissions From Shale Gas Wells; PA Landowners Guide To Solar; Much More!

-- Eastern PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation: Tell PA Lawmakers To Support Community Solar Legislation

Related Articles:

-- PA Solar Center Issues RFP For Solar Energy At East Penn School District In Lehigh County  [PaEN]

-- Solar United Neighbors To Host Centre County Solar Tour May 18  [PaEN]

-- Reminder: PA Solar Center May 17 Webinar: Update On Federal Solar Energy Tax Credits [PaEN]

-- National Energy Technology Lab, University Of Pittsburgh Say Oil & Gas Wastewater Can Be Major Source Of Lithium For Rechargeable Battery Production  [PaEN]

-- Solar United Neighbors To Host Centre County Solar Tour May 18  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Consol Energy Aims To Be A Leading Force In Slowing The Shift To Renewable Energy

-- Politico: Shapiro’s Pennsylvania Energy/Climate Play Aims For Balance Of Power On Climate Issues 

-- Kleinman Center For Energy Policy: Policymakers Can Bolster Support For Sustained Climate Action By Integrating National Security And Human Rights Into Energy Justice Frameworks - By Benjamin Schmitt

-- Centre Daily Times: Centre County Communities Making Strides With Solar Energy

-- Republican Herald: Butler Twp. Denies Developer’s Request For Solar Energy Facility

-- Scranton Times: Lackawanna Judge Orders Taylor Zoning Hearing Board To Approve Solar Energy Facility Near Ransom Road

-- PA Capital-Star: Can’t Install Your Own Solar Panels?  Some Areas Let You Join A Community Project; PA Legislature Considering Community Solar Bill

-- Erie Times: Solar Panels Installed In Presque Isle’s Beach Parking Lot

-- Penn State Extension Energy Essentials: Solar Panel Glare An Issue?  Estimating Emissions From Shale Gas Wells; PA Landowners Guide To Solar; Much More!

-- Erie Times: Wave Energy Converter To Be Tested On Lake Erie This Summer

-- Post-Gazette: PA Received $16.7 Billion In Federal Funding For Infrastructure, Clean Energy, Other Projects

-- Utility Dive: NERC: 25 GW Of New Solar To Boost Summer Grid Reliability, But Extreme Heat Poses Widespread Risks

-- TribLive: FERC Approves Rule To Expand Transmission Of Renewable Power

-- Utility Dive: FERC Issues Landmark Transmission Planning, Cost Allocation Rule, With Dissent Over State Roles

[Posted: May 15, 2024]

5/20/2024