Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Announces Federal Recovery Funding is Available for Solar Energy Projects

Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Announces Federal Recovery Funding is Available
for Solar Energy Projects

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell
today announced applications are being accepted for funding for large-scale
solar projects designed to develop green energy production and jump-start the
economy.

Up to $7 million in federal funding through the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act will be available through the Green Energy Works! Solar
program, one of four competitive grant programs intended to show that green
energy and green jobs are the future of economic development and power
production.

"Since we issued our first Recovery Act funded grant in March, we have
supplied our citizens with a variety of options to move forward in the green
energy industry," Governor Rendell said. "For example, the PA Sunshine Solar
program for residential projects which opened in May has more than doubled our
solar capacity in the commonwealth.

"The Green Energy Works! Solar program will allow us to fund significant
projects that will continue to expand our solar industry. These large-scale
solar projects will reduce our foreign oil dependence, put Pennsylvanians to
work, stimulate our economy and meet our future energy demands in a cleaner,
more environmentally friendly and efficient way."

The Governor noted that solar installation costs have declined by about 25
percent since 2008.

"As more solar production is built, solar costs will continue to decline,"
Governor Rendell said. "The national goal is by 2015 to reduce the cost of
solar electricity to the cost of electricity from the grid."

All proposed projects must create jobs, be able to start work within six
months, be completed with 24 months and prior to April 30, 2012. Guidelines
may be viewed at www.recovery.pa.gov under the heading, "Where is your money
going?" Click on "Energy Independence."

Applications must be submitted via the Environmental eGrants system at
www.grants.dcnr.state.pa.us. The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. on Nov. 5.
E-mails, hard copy mailings or faxes will not be accepted. Applications are
currently being accepted for two other Green Energy Works! grant programs. The
deadline for combined heat and power projects is this Friday, Oct. 9. The
deadline for biogas project applications is Oct. 23.

"By using Recovery Act funds to quickly deploy large projects that put
Pennsylvania labor back to work, we are striving to utilize local Pennsylvania
products to build long lasting green energy generating facilities," said
Governor Rendell. "By demanding significant leveraging of additional funds,
these projects will help power our economy and our homes in the years to
come."

For more information, visit www.recovery.pa.gov or call the Department of
Environmental Protection's Office of Energy and Technology Deployment at
717-783-8411.

Media Contacts:
John Repetz, DEP, 717-787-1323
Barry Ciccocioppo, Governor's Office, 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

John Repetz of the Department of Environmental Protection, +1-717-787-1323; or
Barry Ciccocioppo of the Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, +1-717-783-1116