PHILADELPHIA – May 11, 2026  – Today, the Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) and Philadelphia Green Capital Corp. (PGCC), joined by City administration and state leaders, members of City Council, and former Council President Darrell Clarke, announced the 10-year results of the Philadelphia Energy Campaign, highlighting $2 billion of economic impact, more than 11,000 jobs created, and over $1.4 billion in energy savings for the City of Philadelphia and its residents.

Launched in 2016 in partnership with City of Philadelphia administration leadership and Philadelphia City Council, the Philadelphia Energy Campaign set ambitious goals: $1 billion of clean energy investments and up to 10,000 jobs by 2026, benefiting neighborhoods across Philadelphia. Results of a new study show the Campaign catalyzed $1.3 billion of economic investment, surpassing the investment target by 30 percent while exceeding the jobs goal.

The 10-year economic impact report produced by Econsult Solutions, Inc. (ESI) demonstrates how strategic investment in clean energy drives economic growth, reducing costs for individuals, local institutions, and municipal government, while delivering meaningful benefits for residents, businesses, and taxpayers.

“Our city’s clean energy is delivering cost savings – and jobs – to the benefit of Philadelphia residents and local businesses, which are top priorities for our administration,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “Our partnership with the Philadelphia Energy Authority has not only helped us get closer to a Safer, Cleaner and Greener city, but the positive economic indicators are off the charts. I am thankful to the many City departments that have worked collaboratively with PEA to help generate these impressive results.” 

“The Philadelphia Energy Campaign demonstrates that clean energy is an economic development strategy, a cost-saving strategy, and a public health strategy all in one,” said Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson. “Results of the Philadelphia Energy Campaign signal what’s possible through collaboration, as clean energy touches every part of how our city functions. And by investing in workforce development, we are ensuring our residents can access these emerging opportunities, whether through jobs in the growing clean energy economy or related construction trades.”

With $14.7 million in City allocations over 10 years, PEA helped unlock over $1.3 billion in total investment – an extraordinary return of approximately 90 times the public dollars committed, underscoring PEA’s role as a responsible steward of public resources.

“The Philadelphia Energy Campaign shows what is possible when public investment is used to drive economic growth, create jobs and lower costs for residents,” said State Representative Jordan A. Harris, Majority Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. “This work has helped generate more than $1.3 billion in investment, create more than 11,000 jobs and deliver real energy savings for Philadelphia. Just as importantly, the next phase will modernize public buildings, including health centers and homeless services facilities, so the people who live, work and receive services in these spaces are in safer, healthier and more comfortable environments.”

“Over the last ten years, the Philadelphia Energy Campaign exceeded every goal we set, and we redefined what’s possible when vision meets action,” said Emily Schapira, CEO of the Philadelphia Energy Authority. “With collaboration across government, schools, utilities, service organizations and industry, this initiative demonstrates clean energy crosses all sectors and all parts of our lives. Clean energy is not just one solution; it’s everything: jobs for people, revenue for the city, and healthier, more resilient communities.”

The Campaign generated significant new revenue for the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Over ten years, clean energy investments helped produce more than $25 million in tax revenue for Philadelphia and over $50 million statewide, funding that supports essential services, infrastructure, and community priorities.

Overall economic activity generated by the Philadelphia Energy Campaign includes:

• $2 billion in economic output in Philadelphia, supporting 11,415 jobs, $698.1 million in employee compensation, and $25.3 million in tax revenue; 
• $2.4 billion statewide, supporting 12,855 full-time equivalent jobs and $801.4 million in employee compensation as well as $50.1 million in tax revenue; and 
• A resulting $73.6 million in combined tax revenue for the City and Commonwealth.

PEA programs modernize the region’s energy infrastructure. Clean energy projects have delivered over $1.4 billion in savings, while helping to cut municipal carbon emissions by nearly half, improving health and safety for those living and working across Philadelphia. The result is a ripple effect: savings generated by these programs are reinvested into local economies, the jobs created help to sustain our communities, and the improved infrastructure enhances public safety, health, and quality of life. 

Continuing this momentum, PEA and the City of Philadelphia are next retrofitting 14 major municipal buildings — among the City’s largest energy users — including City Hall, the Municipal Services Building, One Parkway Building, and the Criminal Justice Center. The project involves collaboration between PEA, the Office of Sustainability, Office of Homeless Services, Department of Public Health, and Department of Public Property. 

This Quadplex + Community Health project will deploy energy efficiency improvements throughout the City’s four large downtown buildings, seven health centers, and three homeless services centers, resulting in greater comfort and quality of care for residents, and long-lasting, more affordable, healthy City infrastructure.

“Through the Philadelphia Energy Campaign, the City is investing in clean energy and advancing ambitious energy goals that deliver a trifecta of environmental, quality of life, and economic improvements,” said Elizabeth Lankenau, Director of the Philadelphia Office of Sustainability. “The Quadplex + Community Health project is an example of an ongoing initiative that goes beyond helping the City reach its goal of carbon neutrality; it is saving energy and lowering costs, while improving the quality of facilities where residents access critical services.”

Read the full report to learn more about the transformative Philadelphia Energy Campaign and what it means for Philadelphia’s future.

The post Turning $14.7 Million into $1.3 Billion: Philadelphia Energy Campaign Surpasses Goals, Collaborates with City to Grow Local Clean Energy Economy first appeared on Philadelphia Energy Authority.

The Green Residential Construction Immersive Training (GRIT) program wrapped up its sixth cohort this month. The occasion marks new beginnings for our 15 participants as they launch careers in the region’s green building economy. Their achievements bring the total number of GRIT participants to 100 since PEA launched the program in 2021.

“Reaching 100 graduates is a proud moment for PEA. With each graduate, GRIT is not only shaping individual futures — we’re building the foundation for a greener, more inclusive Philadelphia,” said Kate Lunger, PEA Director of Workforce Initiatives. “GRIT demonstrates that by taking an individualized, people-first approach to workforce development we can yield real results, changing lives and uplifting communities.”

GRIT provides tools and support services for young adults from across Philadelphia. Participants gain a foothold in the growing fields of energy efficiency and green construction. The program offers an 18-week, paid training program that combines hands-on education with career exploration, job readiness, and life skills. For many participants, it’s their first step toward a long-term, stable career filled with purpose and impact.

“The Green Residential Construction Immersive Training program is a national model for how to prepare adults for careers in the high-demand clean energy and green construction fields. Graduates go on to help address critical environmental and infrastructure challenges we face as a City and as a country – preserving affordable housing, reducing energy costs, and combating the climate crisis,” said Philadelphia City Councilmember Rue Landau. “On behalf of City Council, I want all GRIT participants to know we are proud of you and we offer you our full support as you start this next chapter in your career journey.”

Setting GRIT apart is the comprehensive approach of our training partners, led by the Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA) and the Provisional Vocational Training Center (PVTC). 

“We’re proud to be partnering with PEA to integrate construction skills with energy efficiency and building science principles,” said ECA Chief Executive Officer Steve Luxton. “The instructors at our Green Careers Training Center have decades of experience in their trades and are deeply passionate about bringing that to the next generation of hardworking students so that they can build sustainable careers in this growing industry.”

GRIT goes beyond teaching technical skills. Wraparound services provided by partner agencies Phase 3 and Beyond Literacy help to ensure participants are supported throughout every step of their career transition. 

For GRIT participants who have histories involving the criminal justice system, developing soft skills and receiving job-placement support are what can make the difference in whether participants go on to thrive in the workplace and in life. 

GRIT is open to Philadelphia residents ages 18 and older who hold a high school diploma or GED. No prior experience in construction or trades is required. GRIT prioritizes recruiting participants from marginalized communities often underrepresented in the building trades.

As the energy efficiency sector continues to grow, so does the demand for skilled workers. Pennsylvania is home to more than 72,000 energy efficiency workers; construction jobs in the sector make up 16 percent of the Commonwealth’s overall construction workforce. Programs like GRIT are crucial to ensuring that opportunities from the growing clean energy economy reach all corners of the state, including Philadelphia’s underrepresented communities.

GRIT graduates have already made their mark, joining local employers such as Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), Solar States, and PosiGen. The program prepares participants for roles performing weatherization, carpentry, electrical and plumbing services. 

The post GRIT Graduates 100th Student, Builds Out Region’s Green Construction Workforce first appeared on Philadelphia Energy Authority.

PHILADELPHIA, October 22, 2021 – Mayor Kenney, Superintendent Hite, and many others joined the Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) on Friday to celebrate a significant milestone in Pennsylvania’s equitable transition to clean energy with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of a brand new Solar Training Lab at Frankford High School. In partnership with the School District of Philadelphia, funded by PECO and other industry partners, the lab provides training opportunities for Pennsylvania’s fastest-growing careers in solar and clean energy. The lab is used by high schoolers in the District’s Bright Solar Futures program, a 3-year Career and Technical Education (CTE) vocational program, the first of its kind in the nation, that launches young people into the jobs of the future.

Bright Solar Futures (BSF), funded with grants from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office and PECO, provides access to solar careers for young Philadelphians, growing a diverse and more equitable workforce that will help make national climate priorities a reality. The recently completed BSF Solar Lab provides a state-of-the-art teaching and learning environment for Frankford High School students.

“Philadelphia is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050, and that effort will create thousands of jobs,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “We need our young people to have access to those careers, and this lab will ensure they do. Congratulations to the School District, Frankford High School, and the Philadelphia Energy Authority on this important milestone.”

“I am proud to see Philadelphia and the School District leading the way in creating a diverse clean energy workforce,” said City Council President Darrell Clarke. “When we set out 5 years ago to invest $1 billion and create 10,000 jobs in clean energy, we knew we would have to work hard to make sure that those jobs reached communities that have traditionally been overlooked in this industry. Today, we cut the ribbon on the jobs of the future, right here at Frankford.”

“We’re proud to offer the first Solar Energy program, where our students have access to learn skills that will allow them to enter one of the fastest-growing energy careers,” said William R. Hite, Jr., Ed.D. “We’re also grateful for the support from the Philadelphia Energy Authority, PECO, and other industry partners for their investment in our students and their bright futures.”

“Supporting Bright Solar Futures and the opening of this new Solar Training Lab is at the intersection of two very important priorities for us at PECO – supporting clean energy resources to mitigate the impact of climate change and furthering initiatives to spur the clean energy workforce of tomorrow,” said Mike Innocenzo, President & CEO at PECO. “We are proud to be involved with this program and look forward to seeing the ‘bright’ futures ahead for these students.”

At Friday’s event, PEA was also joined by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), which announced a new toolkit for prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the solar industry. Called Energy Justice Partnerships (EJPs), this concept allows very large, utility-scale solar projects to easily partner with an organization providing equity and access to solar jobs and solar power for historically marginalized communities. EJPs will allow solar developers and corporate and institutional buyers to incorporate these partnerships into their power purchase agreements, creating long-term funding for frontline organizations, and using renewable energy to support communities who have traditionally borne the brunt of the effects of fossil fuel production.

“I am thrilled that Bright Solar Futures has a home at Frankford High School here in the 7th District. Our young people deserve access to the best training possible for the jobs of the future, especially when they are living wage, green jobs. Frankford’s new Solar Lab sets the bar high in terms of innovation and technology and helps ensure that communities of color will have access to the jobs and benefits of solar energy. Congratulations to Principal Calderone, the School District, and the Philadelphia Energy Authority-under the leadership of Council President Clarke,” said Councilmember Maria Quinones Sanchez, 7th District.

“We are so proud to be here today at Frankford with these partners and these students. Solar is the fastest-growing job in Pennsylvania, and this lab will ensure equitable access to these jobs,” says Emily Schapira, President and CEO of Philadelphia Energy Authority. “Bright Solar Futures students train in solar and battery storage installation, sales, and design, along with weatherization, construction basics, and job site safety, ensuring that Philadelphia has the best-trained clean energy workforce in the region.”

About the Philadelphia Energy Authority The Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) is an independent municipal authority created in 2010 to advance energy affordability and sustainability for the City. PEA has facilitated over $167 million in clean energy projects in Philadelphia since launching the Philadelphia Energy Campaign in 2016, creating more than 1,700 jobs. To learn more visit us at www.philaenergy.org

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Photo Credit: Jordan Baumgarten

The post Philadelphia Energy Authority Unveils State-of-the-Art Solar Training Lab at Frankford High School to Create Equitable Access to the Clean Energy Transition first appeared on Philadelphia Energy Authority.