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The post Solar Week Kickoff Press Conference 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.

PHILADELPHIA, PA  —  The City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) kick off the second annual Philadelphia Solar Week, encouraging Philadelphians to go solar to help drive the economic recovery.  PEA reopened Solarize Philly on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day this year, providing free remote solar assessments and a new Solar Savings Grant Program to include households of all income levels. Installations for the program have resumed in line with COVID safety guidelines. Interested property owners can sign up at solarizephilly.org.  

“Going solar in 2020 will not only move us toward our climate goals but is also good for our economy,” Mayor Jim Kenney said. “Solar Week is an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come and to support each other to do more to accelerate Philadelphia’s transition to clean energy.”

“The Philadelphia Energy Campaign positions us as a national leader in leveraging clean energy projects to drive equitable economic development,” said  Council President Darrell Clarke (5th District). “We know that solar lowers electric bills, creates living wage jobs, and reduces our climate impact. Let’s continue to take the lead by powering Philadelphia’s New Normal with solar energy.” 

Solarize Philly is a group buying program to help all Philadelphians go solar. The largest program of its kind in the nation, Solarize Philly has facilitated a $10 million investment in Philadelphia’s clean energy economy since 2017 and created 94 jobs. Solarize Philly’s Solar Savings Grant Program provides grants paired with financing to low- and moderate-income households to go solar at no upfront cost, and with utility bill savings from Year 1. PEA started consultations for the Solar Savings Grant Program in August 2020. Spots in the Grant Program are limited, so interested households are encouraged to sign up now at solarizephilly.org. 

“The Solar Savings Grant Program made it possible to solarize my house, something that would have been financially out of my reach at this time. For me, going Solar is a critical and responsible step towards reducing non-renewable energy and combating climate change,” stated Megan Biddle, the first participant to sign a solar contract through the Solar Savings Grant Program. 

“Philadelphia City Council is proud to encourage Philadelphians to take advantage of the benefits of solar through the second annual Philadelphia Solar Week. Whether you are a property owner considering solar for your roof or a job seeker looking for a clean energy career, Philadelphia Solar Week has something for you,” added Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson (At-Large), Chair of the Committee on the Environment. 

Philadelphia Solar Week includes a full schedule of online events, including events for homeowners and businesses on how to go solar, a session on Doing Solar Business in Philadelphia, a Friday keynote and graduation ceremony for the 2020 Bright Solar Futures trainees. Job seekers are invited to attend a career panel on clean energy careers, and PEA put out a call for youth to submit artwork for a Solar Art Competition, with prizes sponsored by PECO. All events will take place virtually, and event details can be found at solarizephilly.org.  

“In Philadelphia, we know solar creates savings, fights climate change and produces high quality local jobs,” said PEA’s Executive Director Emily Schapira. “Our second annual Solar Week will celebrate the growth of solar in our region, share the benefits of solar for the COVID recovery, and jumpstart careers for those who are positioned to benefit the most.”

In addition to Solarize Philly and the Solar Savings Grant Program, PEA also leads Bright Solar Futures, a workforce development initiative to establish the nation’s first Solar Energy Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at Frankford High School. Rising 10th grade students are eligible to enroll now in the inaugural Frankford solar class which will start this Fall. PEA also offers solar training for young adults age 18-30 through a paid training fellowship in partnership with PowerCorpsPHL. Bright Solar Futures is supported by an award from the U.S. Department of Energy and sponsorship by PECO.

About Philadelphia Energy Authority  

The Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) is an independent municipal authority created in 2010 to advance clean and affordable energy goals for the City. PEA has facilitated over $100 million in clean energy projects in Philadelphia since 2017, creating more than over 1,000 jobs. PEA’s $1 billion Philadelphia Energy Campaign, launched in 2016 with the leadership of City Council President Darrell Clarke, will create 10,000 jobs by 2026 through the implementation of clean energy and energy efficiency projects. For more information visit www.philaenergy.org. 

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The post City, Philadelphia Energy Authority Encourage Residents and Businesses to Install Solar with Second Annual Philadelphia Solar Week. first appeared on Philadelphia Energy Authority.