Solar installer is the fastest growing job in the country, and we are training the next generation of solar workers. The School District is collecting applications for our next Bright Solar Futures class, which will prepare students for jobs in this booming industry during the 2019-2020 academic year. All 11th and 12th grade CTE students are invited to apply. See flyer below for more details.

This program is made possible through our amazing partners The Schoold District of Philadelphia, Energy Coordinating Agency, Solar States, GreenFutures, PECO, and the Department of Energy.

The post Next Bright Solar Future Program Now Accepting Applications first appeared on Philadelphia Energy Authority.

The post Bright Ideas about Energy: GreenFutures Professional Development for SDP Teachers first appeared on Philadelphia Energy Authority.

Bright Solar Futures Summer 2019 Flyer

The post High School Student Summer Job Opportunity first appeared on Philadelphia Energy Authority.

Philadelphia, Oct. 26, 2018 – City Council President Darrell L. Clarke (5th District) and At-Large members Blondell Reynolds Brown and Derek S. Green joined the Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) on Friday to announce that their “Find Your Power” solar training program for Philadelphia youth has received a $1.25 million U.S. Department of Energy award.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office selected PEA’s initiative as one of 53 innovative projects to be funded, one of only seven for workforce development. Award amounts are subject to final negotiation.

“Innovation is key to solar’s continued growth in our nation’s energy portfolio,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said in a DOE statement. “Developing new skills through workforce training is critical to expanding job opportunities in the renewable sector.”

“The Philadelphia Energy Campaign has already created hundreds of jobs for Philadelphians through programs like Solarize Philly,” Council President Clarke said. “This $1.25 million award will prepare Philadelphia’s young people to be first in line for family-sustaining, in-demand clean energy jobs.”

The PEA will use the award to establish the nation’s first Clean Energy Program of Study for high school students. PEA will work with the School District of Philadelphia to develop a three-year curriculum to train students for careers in the clean energy sector. If this program is recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, it will unlock funding for school districts across the state to offer PEA’s curriculum.

The PEA will also leverage the award to offer intensive clean energy training to over 100 students during the three-year project. From 2019 to 2021, PEA will offer an expanded 1,000-plus hour curriculum to School District of Philadelphia CTE students, with a parallel track for opportunity youth from YouthBuild Philly.

The PEA received the award in partnership with YouthBuild Philly, the Philadelphia Education Fund, Solar States, and the Energy Coordinating Agency, with the support of Superintendent Dr. William R. Hite of the School District of Philadelphia and Secretary Patrick McDonnell of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

“PEA’s Bright Solar Futures initiative is another remarkable way that the School District of Philadelphia is joining forces with the Philadelphia Energy Campaign to benefit our students and implement Green Futures,” Dr. Hite said. “We are proud to lead the way for school districts across the country by training our students for 21st century careers in the clean energy sector.”

The Bright Solar Futures initiative builds on PEA’s “Find Your Power” program which has trained 53 students in clean energy since 2017. The PEA has supported participants from this introductory program to secure internships and even full-time employment in the clean energy economy. Find Your Power was made possible by funding from Solarize Philly, PECO, Siemens, and the U.S. Department of Energy Solar in Your Community Challenge.

This award comes shortly after PEA closed the second phase of Solarize Philly, a citywide program to help Philadelphians go solar at home. The program stands out as the country’s largest citywide solar energy campaign. Solarize Philly created 52 jobs with three participating installers, helped position Philadelphia as 4th in the country for 2017 solar growth, and spurred the Commonwealth to list solar installer as a High Priority Occupation for Philadelphia County, demonstrating the demand for solar trainees.

“This is exactly the result we were aiming for when we launched the Philadelphia Energy Campaign in 2016: creating economic opportunities through clean energy,” PEA Executive Director Emily Schapira said. “The DOE award will help us scale up our training program to keep pace with Philadelphia’s rapidly growing clean energy sector.”

“Once again, Philadelphia is leading by example for other cities across the country,” Councilmember Reynolds Brown, who chairs City Council’s Committee on the Environment, said. “It is imperative that Philadelphia prepare our young people for careers in clean energy, especially in light of the recent UN climate report. This award positions the trainees to be at the forefront of this urgent transition.”

“The Philadelphia Energy Authority has already made a lasting impression on the lives of many young Philadelphians, helping them learn and train for rewarding careers in the clean energy sector,” Councilmember Green, also an Environment Committee member, added. “Now, thanks to this funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, PEA can expand their successful solar workforce program for generations to come.”

Watch the press conference:

http://phlcouncil.com/philadelphia-energy-authority-receives-1-25-million-dept-of-energy-award-for-solar-jobs-training/

Other Press:

Philly.com: Trump administration awards Philly $1.25M solar workforce grant

NBC 10: Philadelphia Schools Get $1.25M Solar Grant

KYW: Philly receives grants for criminal justice reform, clean energy education

U.S. News: Federal Government Gives Philadelphia $1.25M Solar Grant

National Public Radio: Local Newscast 5pm 10/26/18

The post Philadelphia Energy Authority Receives $1.25 Million Dept. of Energy Award for Solar Jobs Training first appeared on Philadelphia Energy Authority.

‘Find Your Power’ Jobs Training Program, Overseen by PEA, Receives $100,000 From PECO

Philadelphia, June 5, 2018 – Council President Darrell L. Clarke, Superintendent Dr. William R. Hite, and representatives of PECO and Siemens on Tuesday honored the Spring 2018 graduates of “Find Your Power,” a solar and energy efficiency training course administered by the Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) and School District of Philadelphia.

The newest “Find Your Power” trainee class includes 20 School District career and technical education (CTE) high school students who are preparing for in-demand jobs in the clean energy industry.

“I am so proud that Philadelphia is busting misconceptions about solar energy by making it accessible, affordable, and creating career opportunities for our young people along the way,” Council President Clarke said. “Thank you to PEA, the program sponsors, and the School District for making our vision for a greener, more affordable, and more economically vibrant Philadelphia a reality. Congratulations to the ‘Find Your Power’ trainees, and thank you for committing yourselves to a better Philly for everyone.”

“We look forward to a continued partnership with the Philadelphia Energy Authority to expand the ‘Find Your Power’ program to even more students throughout our public schools,” Dr. Hite said. “The program aligns with our District’s sustainability initiative, GreenFutures, and furthers our work around college and career readiness. With all of the job opportunities available in the local clean energy industry, this program is the perfect fit for our students.”

PECO, the leading sponsor for the class, presented a check for $100,000 to help the PEA, created by City Council to further the City’s sustainability goals, continue to offer clean energy jobs training to young people in Philadelphia. Siemens and the Department of Energy (DOE)’s Solar in Your Community Challenge have also contributed funds to make the program possible.

“At PECO, we are committed to making a difference by strengthening the communities we serve and, most importantly, supporting those young people who will shape our future,” PECO President and CEO Mike Innocenzo said. “The Philadelphia Energy Authority’s ‘Find Your Power’ class, is a shining example of a program that not only educates, but also equips students with competitive skills to enter the workforce. We are proud to invest in such an innovative program, and will continue supporting youth education and enrichment across the Greater Philadelphia region.”

This was the first clean energy course offered to District students during the academic year. PEA piloted the “Find Your Power” curriculum last summer as a six-week class for 18 students. The program was met with such enthusiasm that PEA re-opened the program for students this spring semester. PEA will be training a new cohort of 20 students this summer as part of the Philadelphia Youth Network’s WorkReady program.

“Solar Installer is the fastest growing job in the country,” PEA Executive Director Emily Schapira, said. “We are proud to be preparing Philadelphia’s young people to take advantage of these new opportunities.”

“Solarize Philly has a strong record of helping citizens across our City literally find their power through solar installations,” Council Environment Committee Chair Blondell Reynolds Brown (At Large) said. “This celebration is important to not only honor the journey of these students, but also recognize the important work of the Philadelphia Energy Authority in creating new jobs while maintaining a dedication to diversity and inclusion.”

“Thanks to the partnership of the School District of Philadelphia with the Philadelphia Energy Authority, City Council, PECO, and Siemens, we are laying a foundation for our students that has the capacity to open countless doors for them throughout their careers,” Councilman Derek S. Green (At Large) added.

The “Find Your Power” program is supported by Solarize Philly, a citywide program to help Philadelphians go solar at home. Since 2017, more than 2,800 households have signed up to receive discounted group pricing on rooftop solar. Solarize Philly is now offering a special financing option for 45 low- and moderate-income households as a pilot program. Any homeowner in the City of Philadelphia can support PEA’s ongoing training initiatives by installing solar through this program.

Solarize Philly is part of the Philadelphia Energy Authority’s $1 billion Philadelphia Energy Campaign, a sustainable energy initiative announced by Council President Clarke in 2016 to reduce energy costs and create 10,000 energy sector jobs over 10 years. Solarize Philly is projected to create 75 living-wage, career jobs. After less than one year, the three solar companies serving customers through Solarize Philly created 27 new solar jobs. More than a third of these positions are filled by minorities, 42% by women, 59% by Philadelphia residents, and 11% by veterans.

Other Find Your Power Press:

CBS Philly:

KYW: Training program gives students power to succeed

The post PEA and City Council Celebrate Spring 2018 Clean Energy Trainees first appeared on Philadelphia Energy Authority.

Join PEA as we celebrate the closing of our two spring 2018 cohorts of the Find Your Power training program.

The post Spring 2018 Find Your Power Closing Ceremony first appeared on Philadelphia Energy Authority.

(Lankenau High School Principal,  Joshua Levinson, SDP Superintendent, Dr. Hite, PEA Executive Director, Emily Schapira)

School District of Philadelphia Energy Opportunity Assessment

On Monday, March 20, 2017 the Philadelphia School District, City Council, and the Philadelphia Energy Authority hosted a press conference at Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School to announce a commitment to develop up to $345 million in energy efficiency projects. Philadelphia Energy Authority Executive Director, Emily Schapira stated “The School District of Philadelphia is taking a major step forward for sustainability, but perhaps most importantly, they are uncovering new ways to fund much-needed capital work.  This means hundreds of millions of additional dollars to create better teaching and learning environments for over 130,000 children in our city, at no additional cost to taxpayers.”

At the event, the Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) released “Opportunity Assessment: Using Energy Performance Contracting to Address School Facility Needs in Philadelphia”, a white paper providing an initial assessment of the size of the opportunity and the types of capital needs that could be addressed using energy savings.  PEA determined that Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) could use energy savings to finance much-needed capital projects (e.g. boilers, windows, insulation, lighting, HVAC, etc.). This work will result in up to $600 million in savings over 20 years, and will not require any out-of-pocket expense over and above SDP’s existing utilities budget. The complete whitepaper is available HERE.

The School District of Philadelphia also announced an energy performance contracting (EPC) pilot project, including energy conservation measures, at three (3) K-12 schools. These projects are being developed as a pilot to determine the viability of energy projects across over 200 schools in the future. The School District of Philadelphia is requesting proposals from qualified engineering firms who can provide energy performance engineering (EPE) services or owner’s representative companies or any company that feels as though they can satisfy this scope as the School District moves forward with an Energy Performance Contract (EPC) through the PA Guaranteed Energy Savings Act (GESA). The School District’s Energy Performance Engineering Services RFP is available HERE.

The full video of the press conference is available below.

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