Pennsylvania unveils solar enhancement initiatives
Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has united with statewide partners to develop Pennsylvania’s Solar Future, a plan designed to increase solar energy reliance.
DEP officials said Pennsylvania could create over 100,000 jobs, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and improve public health under the plan. The effort identifies 15 cost-effective strategies that could be implemented to achieve a target of
10 percent of the state’s electricity produced from solar energy by 2030.
The work involved identifying strategies involving both grid-scale systems and smaller, distributed systems while also detailing the associated benefits and required investments.
The main finding from the planning study is that grid-scale development will need to accelerate while installation of rooftop and other distributed systems can continue at the current pace.
“States all around us and across the country have recognized that increasing solar energy can be a real economic development driver, in addition to providing tremendous benefits to public health and in addressing climate,” DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell said. “This plan demonstrates that we can pursue Pennsylvania’s solar future in a cost-effective manner that complements our position as an energy leader.”
Pennsylvania’s Solar Future is predicting 60,000 to 100,000 new jobs will be created in rural, urban, and suburban areas if the plan is implemented while other economic development opportunities will develop from siting solar development to complement the working landscape and rural economy, such as already disturbed lands or in conjunction with grazing or pollinator-friendly perennials.
