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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. Over the last year the Pennsylvania PUC has been developing regulations for solar to play a role in the RPS. Good net metering rules are in the final stages of development and the PUC is on track to create strong penalties to ensure that the utilities comply with the RPS. That's the good news.

Policy Needs

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, the 2008 legislature is considering a package of bills to make the state more energy independent. Most important for solar aficionados is Special Session HB 1, which would provide up to $200 million in rebates.