HARRISBURG — Solar energy generated bill proposals and policy shifts in Pennsylvania but fundamental differences over reliability compared to fossil fuels challenge a broader, more rapid transition to renewable resources.
Pennsylvania saw a rush of solar energy development in 2023, adding more than 800 installations. Fewer than 200 were completed in each of the previous seven years, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. The trend extended nationally as materials and labor became more readily available to accommodate a backlog of projects, largely utility-scale installations as states adjust to new standards for renewable energy.
The Keystone State ranked 12th nationally in new installations in 2023 and rose to 10th through the first quarter of 2024, according to a market analysis via SEIA. More projects could follow as the Shapiro Administration works to enact new policies to diversify Pennsylvania’s energy generation beyond natural gas, nuclear and coal — categories where the commonwealth ranks near the top.
Skeptics warn that the commonwealth should focus more on generating energy through fossil fuels as grid reliability is questioned. PJM Interconnection, the regional electric grid powering Pennsylvania and 12 other states plus Washington D.C., says that reliability is at risk during the transition to renewable resources as electric demand swells, coal-fired power plants are retired and replacement projects lag.
Gov. Josh Shapiro announced an ambitious two-pronged proposal in March. One part is a Pennsylvania-only cap-and-trade program known as PACER, or the Pennsylvania Climate Emission Reduction, which effectively is an alternative to the multi-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative for which the commonwealth’s participation is stalled in court. It’s coupled with proposed updates to the commonwealth’s existing alternative energy portfolio requiring all utilities to purchase 50% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2035.
Solar would be an integral part. Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard, known as PRESS, would require 35% from a specific class of renewables including solar, wind, low-impact hydropower and more.
Economic benefit
An economic assessment commissioned by Advanced Energy United, an industry association, found that the resulting development of renewable energy projects from policies similar to Shapiro’s proposal could bring net economic benefits exceeding $11 billion to Pennsylvania and create nearly 130,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs.
“I think the most compelling piece of all of this is the economic opportunity,” Sharon Pillar, founder and executive director of the Pennsylvania Solar Center, said. “It’s a missed opportunity if we don’t take advantage of it. We’re talking about tens of thousands of jobs and billions in investment into Pennsylvania.”
Corresponding legislation was introduced in May by Democrats in both the House and Senate though none have moved, yet, ahead of ongoing budget negotiations. Republicans have already signaled opposition, especially for any cap-and-trade initiatives.
On Earth Day in April, Shapiro announced that 16 commonwealth government agencies will get at least 50% of their electric needs — 361,000 megawatt-hours of electricity annually — from 10 solar arrays in six counties, two of which are already online with three more expected to go live by year’s end.
That same day, the Biden Administration announced that the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority would receive more than $156 million through the Solar for All grant competition, tasking the entity to create solar energy programs benefiting low-income and disadvantaged communities.
Terrance Fitzpatrick, president and CEO of the Energy Association of Pennsylvania, echoed the PJM report, calling concerns about the adequacy of electric generation the biggest issue facing the commonwealth on energy. He said the commonwealth must work to maintain its existing network of traditional power plants and stave off pending retirements as renewable resources are further developed.
“We can have some renewable energy as part of our portfolio. We certainly will compared to now because there’s so much federal money out there. We know it’s going to grow over time but we can’t choke off the dispatchable plants that you need to keep the lights on,” Fitzpatrick said, referring to plants that are available 24/7.
An analysis by the Commonwealth Foundation of Shapiro’s energy policy proposal found that in-state cap-and-trade could result in nearly $500 million in new taxes while the enhancement of renewable energy sources threatens to cut grid reliability by half.
Legislative proposals
A bill permitting community solar projects in Pennsylvania, allowing groups of people to invest together to subscribe to or own a solar array, moved through the House in late March with a small measure of bipartisan support.
Bipartisanship was far broader around a House bill approved in June 2023 proposing a grant program for schools to invest in solar energy facilities, however, just a single vote in the lower chamber approved a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the potential of agrivoltaic farming where crops are grown beneath solar panels.
None of the bills that advanced to the state Senate have received consideration, however, the upper chamber did vote in March 2023 to approve a bill setting terms for decommissioning solar facilities which now awaits action in the House.
Related bills introduced in the Senate that await action include another community solar proposal, a measure allowing electric customers to choose to purchase 100% local solar energy, and legislation that would prohibit the leasing of “prime agricultural land” for large-scale solar projects.
This post was originally published on 3rd party site mentioned in the title of this site
