One of the concerns now in the United States is harnessing renewable energy sources. The federal government has created programs and allocated funds for this purpose. Many states have joined in on the programs and have even their own. One of the states with active renewable energy programs is Pennsylvania. The state specifically focuses on solar power, the generation of electricity using the light from the sun. Taking advantage of the sun, however, is not new in the state. Pennsylvania solar activities can be traced back to the 1970s and ‘80s, when water was heater using light coming from the sun.
Several programs and organizations that promote the use of solar technologies exist in Pennsylvania, with the state government as the primary promoter. Pennsylvania has universal service fund which is present in a few states only. Like in other states, the fund aims to assist low-income residents and also to support conservation efforts and fund renewable energy researches and developments. However, Pennsylvania’s universal service is the only one whose definition includes renewable energy.
The universal fund gives low-income rate households the chance to avail of cutting-edge, reliable technologies that use renewable energy. Pennsylvania solar programs, however, are not identical to traditional weatherization efforts. Their aim is to build a central renewable energy infrastructure now to allow below average income households to avail of the technology in the future.
Pennsylvania uses the funds allocated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on its Weatherization Assistance Program. A Leveraging Project is operated by the Commission on Economic Opportunity. The project helps local organizations to develop renewable energy resources and to improve the efficiency of renewable energy technologies. Pennsylvania solar projects are inspired by the DOE’s Million Solar Roofs Program which aims to minimize the country’s reliance on foreign oil; address climate-change issues; save taxpayer money; expand the opportunities of American renewable energy technologies; and to improve the country’s air quality.
The Clean Energy Funding Bill was recently passed by the legislature in Pennsylvania. It provides $100 million which will subsidize 35% of the installation cost of solar systems on homes and small businesses. It is part of the rebate system that was created by the state. Rebate is available for Pennsylvania residents only, specifically those who utilize solar systems. For residential systems to qualify, they must be able to produce between 1kW and 10kW. $100 is required as an application fee. However, for households that have incomes 60% below the state median, the application fee is waived. Small businesses can also avail of the rebate. For those that generate power between 3kW and 10kW, the rebate is $2.25/kW. For those that generate between 10kW to 90kW, the rebate is at $2/kW. If the power generated is 100kW and above, the stands at $1.75/kW. Another $80 million is provided by the bill. It will be used to aid commercial Pennsylvania solar projects.
Pennsylvania solar programs encourage the use of active methods. Their photovoltaic system is fixed and is connected to the main utility line. They also use active methods to heat water. According to the Commission on Economic Opportunity, it is their way of showing how they value sunlight as a renewable energy.
