Municipal operations in Philadelphia are set to acquire additional solar power, moving farther towards climate objectives.
Philadelphia to Boost Renewable Energy with Solar System Run Solar Farm
Philadelphia is set to increase its renewable energy production with the upcoming Solar System Run Solar Farm, expected to come online in mid-2026. The solar farm, planned to be built in central Pennsylvania, will provide clean, cost-controlled, and affordable power for the long term, according to Katie Bartolotta, vice president of policy and strategic partnerships at the Philadelphia Energy Authority.
The project, named the Solar System Run, will be designed, built, owned, and operated by Oriden, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Power. The 20-year power purchase agreement for the Solar System Run solar farm is set at $79 per megawatt-hour. This price, as stated by Bartolotta, is competitive with current and future electricity prices.
The Solar System Run Solar Farm is expected to produce enough energy to cover 5% of the city's municipal electricity needs, bumping the city government's electricity mix to 30% solar. This significant increase in renewable energy production is a significant step towards Philadelphia's goal of running its municipal facilities and operations using entirely renewable energy by 2030.
The Adams County solar farm, which started operating early last year, was the city's first big move towards this goal. Currently, the Adams County solar farm produces 25% of the energy needed to power the city's buildings. The new solar array, if built, will further strengthen Philadelphia's renewable energy portfolio.
However, there is a potential hurdle in the form of a U.S. House Republicans-passed bill last month. The bill sets tight deadlines for construction and completion of solar projects and strict requirements around where equipment can be made for projects to qualify for credits. If passed, this bill could potentially impact the viability or cost of the Solar System Run solar farm. Oriden did not respond to questions about the project's timeline or the impact of the House bill.
Despite this potential challenge, the city council approved the plan to buy power from the solar farm on Thursday. The agreement would lock in a fixed electricity price for the city over the course of the contract, shielding it from potential electricity cost spikes.
If passed, the bill could be devastating for the solar industry in Pennsylvania, according to analysts. However, Bartolotta remains optimistic, stating that the project meets all of the city's goals during a committee hearing last month.
In addition to the Solar System Run Solar Farm, Philadelphia also plans to buy power from a planned solar farm in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. These initiatives are part of Philadelphia's commitment to a sustainable and affordable energy future.
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