Pennsylvania commits to producing 50 percent of state’s electricity through solar
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf launched a major clean energy initiative to produce nearly 50 percent of the state government’s electricity through solar energy.
The project – called Pennsylvania PULSE (Project to Utilize Light and Solar Energy) – involves constructing seven new solar energy arrays totaling 191-megawatts to be built around the state. Constellation, a subsidiary of Exelon, and Lightsource bp have signed agreements with the state to build and manage the project. It will go into operation on Jan. 1, 2023. It is the largest solar commitment by any government in the United States to date. It is part of Wolf’s GreenGov initiative.
“In issuing the GreenGov challenge, I charged state government with leading by example in demonstrating sustainable governance and lowering greenhouse gas emissions to reduce the risks of climate change in Pennsylvania,” Wolf said. “This included significantly reducing energy use and pursuing an ambitious goal of obtaining at least 40 percent of electricity from clean energy generated in state.”
The solar arrays will be built in seven locations in six counties: Columbia, Juniata, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and York. When completed, it is expected to deliver 361,000 megawatt-hours of electricity per year, supplying 100 percent of electricity for 434 accounts across 16 state agencies, or about half the electricity used by state government. It will create more than 400 jobs and lower carbon dioxide emissions statewide by 157,800 metric tons each year.
The state hired Lightsource bp to build, own and operate the solar arrays. In addition, the state signed a 15-year fixed-price supply agreement with Constellation. Constellation, in turn, has executed an agreement to purchase power and project-specific renewable energy certificates (RECs) from 191-megawatts of solar currently being developed by Lightsource. Constellation’s contract with the Commonwealth is slated to begin in January 2023.
“This clean energy solution will enable the Commonwealth to unlock the economic and sustainability benefits of a large-scale, offsite renewable project while minimizing risk,” Jim McHugh, CEO at Constellation, said. “Working in concert with Lightsource bp, we’re pleased to help the Commonwealth support the development of in-state, new-build renewable energy assets that will enable the Commonwealth to deliver on its commitments to reduce its carbon footprint and address climate change.”
The project will create hundreds of new construction jobs and generate increased tax revenues.
“Lightsource bp is committed to supporting the Commonwealth’s clean energy goals, and our owner-operator model for our solar projects means that we’re a long-term partner of Pennsylvania,” Kevin Smith, CEO of Lightsource bp Americas, said. “Our 70-megawatt solar project in Franklin County with Penn State is an example of how we develop solar with a focus on affordability and maximizing environmental and community benefits. We’re excited to partner with Constellation and the Commonwealth to further advance that model with this new project in central Pennsylvania.”
