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Solar energy

Philadelphia Leads the Way in Expanding Access to Affordable, Clean Solar Energy

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Philadelphia City Council has recognized the third week of August as Solar Week, celebrating the city's success in supporting solar access for all and raising awareness of incentives and financing tools that accelerate the transition to affordable clean energy. Since the launch of Solarize Philly in 2017, more than 4,000 households and businesses across Philadelphia have put solar on their roofs, connecting over 23 megawatts of solar energy to the local grid. The program has become the largest solar initiative in the country, with nearly 60 percent of households that have installed solar energy having incomes at or below 80 percent of area median income.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) launched Solarize Philly in 2017 to assist homeowners and businesses with navigating the rooftop solar installation process, growing to become the largest solar initiative in the country.
  • More than 4,000 households and businesses across Philadelphia have put solar on their roofs, connecting over 23 megawatts of solar energy to the local grid.
  • Philadelphia's progress in expanding access to affordable clean solar energy far exceeds national trends, with nearly 60 percent of households that have installed solar energy having incomes at or below 80 percent of area median income.
  • The Solarize program's expanded offerings have enabled homeowners of all income levels to go solar with no upfront cost and no minimum credit score.
  • Since 2021, the solar leasing option has been offered by installer PosiGen, with over 2,000 Solarize contracts signed by Philadelphia homeowners in low- and moderate-income census tracts.
  • PEA President and CEO Emily Schapira emphasized the importance of rooftop solar in providing a pathway toward long-term housing affordability and is a critical tool for keeping Philadelphians in their homes.

Statistics:

  • 4,000: Number of households and businesses that have invested in solar energy through Solarize Philly.
  • 23 megawatts: Amount of solar energy connected to the local grid.
  • 60%: Percentage of households with incomes at or below 80 percent of area median income that have installed solar energy.
  • 26%: Adoption rate of rooftop solar among low-income households nationwide.
  • 2,000: Number of Solarize contracts signed by Philadelphia homeowners in low- and moderate-income census tracts.

Sources:

  • "Philadelphia Energy Authority" webpage ([Source](https://www.philasd.org/energy-authority/))
  • Philadelphia City Council Press Release ([Source](https://www.phila.gov/2019/08/06/philadelphia-city-council-announces-solar-week/))
  • Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Survey ([Source](https://emp.lbl.gov/)
  • Philadelphia Energy Authority ([Source](https://www.philasd.org/energy-authority/))
  • Philadelphia Green Capital Corp. ([Source](https://www.philagreencc.com/))

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