In case you haven't heard, the PA General Assembly and Governor Josh Shapiro re-enacted “Solar for Schools” legislation, as well as $25 million in the state budget for grants for schools to go solar!

The federal residential rooftop solar tax credits expire at the end of this year. But Philly-area homeowners have another affordable option through leasing.

Even though the residential solar tax credit now expires at the end of 2025,  it's not too late to go solar and save.   Through the Pennsylvania BRIGHT program, homeowners in the Greater Philadelphia area can still go solar and save. 

Since the Industrial Revolution, human society has run on ancient solar energy—captured by plants hundreds of millions of years ago, stored in fossil fuels, and dug and drilled from the earth. But this year momentum shifted unmistakably toward the energy that streams from the Sun today. Renewable energy, most of it from sunlight itself or from wind, ultimately driven by the Sun, overtook conventional energy on multiple fronts.

As the federal government rolls back incentives for solar power, the city of Philadelphia is buying more.

The city has inked an agreement with Oriden Power, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Power, to buy electricity from a solar farm planned in Pennsylvania’s Clearfield County. The project, called Abes Run, is expected to be built and operational by the end of 2026.

A compromise that sacrifices Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to end the commonwealth’s four-month budget stalemate would be shortsighted and harmful, environmental and clean energy advocates say.

The current about-face in federal policy on clean energy has echoes of earlier shocks, with one very big difference: solar PV is now the cheapest and fastest form of energy in the world. This means that solar can outcompete fossil fuels on a level playing field. That said, in Pennsylvania we do not have a level playing field — the state provides more than $3.5 billion in subsidies to fossil fuels annually.

Sycamore International, a very innovative electronics recycler located in West Grove, PA has expanded into solar recycling, or more accurately,  upcycling.  They test all components and if they're in good condition,  upcycle them to an extended life and purpose, moving them on to new markets both in the U.S. and internationally. 

Republican and Democratic governors of PJM Interconnection states on Monday threatened to pull out of the grid operator’s markets unless states are given a role in governing the organization.

PHILADELPHIA—In the steep hills above the Schuylkill River, across the street from a famous cheesesteak place and at the end of a quiet block, sits a typical Philadelphia rowhouse: narrow brick, front porch, fig trees growing in the yard. From the sidewalk, there’s nothing to distinguish this house from its neighbors. But there’s a tiny clue that something is a little different: a sticker on the electric meter with a Solarize Philly logo.

Gov. Josh Shapiro is currently pushing for the creation of a state energy siting board.

Across the country, state leaders are racing to fast-track wind and solar projects before the expiration of federal tax credits to support clean energy.

Sun Day is a national day to celebrate the incredible success that solar energy is  having and to support even greater progress.  There will be hundreds of events across the country.  Sun Day Philly at Love Park is cosponsored by PSEA and Third Act PA. 

HARRISBURG — Renewable energy developers say that the rollback of billions in tax credits for their industry will lead to higher costs for consumers, especially as the influx of data centers into Pennsylvania increases demand for power.

Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the entire region are experiencing unprecedented and unwelcome increases in energy prices.  PECO customers saw a 12% rate increase in January of 2025, followed by an increase of 15% in June due to PJM's capacity auction.  Unfortunately prices will rise at least another 5% due to the most recent capacity auction. 

The Reconciliation Bill that passed earlier this month drastically reduces federal tax credits and other incentives for solar, wind and other clean renewable energy.  Residential solar tax credits expire at the end of 2025, so if you were planning to go solar, you really need to hurry.  The Electric Vehicle (EV) tax credits expire even earlier: at the end of September 2025.  Commercial solar projects must begin before the end of 2026 and be completed by the end of 2028.  This chart details all the renewable energy tax credit changes.

The New Jersey State Senate unanimously passed smart solar permitting legislation (S4100) on June 30 by a 39-0 vote. The bill will expedite the approval process for residential solar and battery systems, delivering more solar installations and energy bill savings for families across the state.

In many states across the U.S., getting a rooftop solar installation can provide financial benefits. The solar energy goes toward reducing the home’s grid energy usage, and any excess electricity generated can be sent back to the utility for at least some credit. In this way, a solar installation that is the property of the homeowner acts as a hedge against rising utility costs.

Solar energy companies across the region are reeling at the prospect of rollbacks to the solar energy tax credits included in the budget bill that passed the U.S. House in May.

With electricity bills set to rise for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware customers next month, clean energy advocates are demanding the regional electric grid operator allow new renewable energy sources to connect to the grid faster.

Perfect timing!  73 grants to help public schools and community colleges across PA go solar and save big were announced.  Five Philly public schools and Community College of Philadelphia are among the 25 winners in southeast PA.