Pennsylvania

Background

Pennsylvania passed a renewable portfolio standard in 2004 that contains one of the most aggressive solar PV set asides in the country, requiring 0.5% of the state's electricity to come from PV by 2020. This will result in the development of approximately 800 MW of solar PV over the next 15 years. The Pennsylvania PUC has been developing regulations for solar to play a role in the RPS, good net metering rules, and strong penalties to ensure that the utilities comply with the RPS. That's all good news.

The state's renewable standard is a good foundation--but it's requirements are backloaded, with a slow ramp up. In order to jumpstart solar in the state, in summer of 2008 the legislature approved state funding for solar energy projects, including establishing a rebate program for residential and small business properties. The state now has $180 million set aside for solar, with most of that investment front loaded into the next two years.

Policy Needs

Next we will work to update the Alternative Energy Performance Standard so that it includes as much local clean solar energy as possible.