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Contact: Nadia Adawi (215) 413-2122 |
THE ENERGY COOPERATIVE RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD FOR SOLAR BUYBACK PROGRAM
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary
Kathleen A. McGinty praised the Energy Cooperative's leadership and innovation
in helping to make the use of solar power a reality in the Commonwealth.
"Pennsylvania is a national leader in the development and deployment of
advanced energy technology, making sure our state realizes significant
environmental benefits, more job opportunities and enhanced homeland security
through investments in renewable and indigenous energy sources, including
solar," Secretary McGinty said. "The Energy Cooperative's creative approach to
promote renewable energy ensures that our Commonwealth will be a strong player
in these growing markets for years to come. Their effort demonstrates clearly
how investments in energy technology can stimulate the economy, protect the
environment and enhance public health."
The award, for Innovative Use of Renewable Energy Technology, was announced at the Fourth Annual Green Power Leadership Award Ceremony in Albany, New York. Nadia Adawi, the Cooperative’s Director of Operations, accepted the award. The EPA, DOE, and CRS present the Green Power Leadership Awards each year to recognize the actions of individuals, companies and organizations that are significantly advancing the development of renewable electricity sources through green power markets.
“I’m honored to accept this award on behalf of The Energy Cooperative’s members, board, and staff,” said Ms. Adawi. “We pride ourselves on finding innovative market solutions to offset the relatively high cost of renewable electricity.” she continued. “Our Solar Buyback program is a creative way to make solar power more affordable.”
Solar Buyback participants are required to use technical assistance and incentive grants available for their PV system offered through the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF). “Our installers like the program because it improves the economics and helps them sell the systems,” said Ron Celentano, SDF Solar PV Grant Program Administrator. “The Buyback members like the program because they like getting a monthly check. SDF likes the program because it provides a monthly check-in to ensure the system is functioning correctly,” concluded Celentano. For more information about the SDF Solar PV Grant Program, visit the program website at: www.trfund.com/sdf/solarpv.
The Cooperative purchases the energy output from participating co-op members’ rooftop photovoltaic solar arrays at 20 cents/kilowatt hour. This significantly reduces payback time (up to 30%) for a typical solar system. The Co-op then folds the solar kilowatt hours into its 100% renewable, Green-e certified EcoChoice100SM electricity product. The cost of purchasing the solar power is spread out amongst the Cooperative's renewable electricity customers. The cooperative currently buys the solar power generated by 20 Solar Buyback members.
The Energy Cooperative is the first non-utility competitive supplier in the country to institute a residential solar energy purchase program. Since January 2003 the Cooperative has purchased almost 61,000 kilowatt hours of locally generated solar power. This is estimated to have an annual environmental equivalence of not emitting 72,628 pounds of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to not driving over 858,914 miles or planting 847 trees. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global climate change.
“We are thrilled to play a role in making the use of solar power a reality in Pennsylvania. Choosing cleaner forms of energy is an easy and effective way to reduce harmful emissions that contribute to acid rain, unhealthy air quality, and global climate change,” stated Adawi.
The Energy Cooperative is a nonprofit member-owned cooperative providing Green-e certified 100% renewable electricity, non-renewable electricity, wind power, and heating oil to over 6,500 households, businesses, nonprofit organizations and municipalities in the Philadelphia area.
The Energy Cooperative’s mission is: to provide energy cost savings, education, and advocacy on behalf our members, particularly our low-income, elderly, and disabled members; to promote the efficient use of energy and the use of renewable energy, and to support cooperative concepts and participate in the cooperative movement.
The Energy Cooperative is licensed by the PA Public Utility Commission as an electricity supplier in Pennsylvania. More information on the Energy Cooperative can be found at www.theenergy.coop.