Philadelphia is lagging behind other cities in its region on solar energy, and officials have pledged to bring 20,000 rooftop panels to the city by 2025.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf plans to spend $225 million on alternative energy, including $50 million for solar power. Philly’s future as a major energy hub is debatable, but there’s still a lot of room to grow.
Currently, the city ranks 26th in total solar capacity out of 65 cities analyzed in a report released this week by environmental advocacy organization PennEnvironment. The report breaks that down as “Philadelphia had enough solar energy online at the end of last year to power less than 1,000 homes.”
As for solar winners by U.S. region, PennEnvironment listed Honolulu, Denver, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Wilmington and Newark as nationwide leaders.
According to public radio station WHYY political leaders see environmental and financial value in expanding solar in the city:
“If we create the policies and bolster up this job-creating opportunity that’s good for the environment, we can really reap the benefit,” said David Masur, executive director of PennEnvironment. “And if you don’t, you’ll miss out.”
The local electricians union has been teaching workers how to install solar panels, according to WHYY.
“I’m not here to give you a lecture on climate change,” a union rep said. “But they just washed half of Houston away in the last two days. We’ve had crazy winters and unbelievable summers. We have to do our part, too.”
Jenn Stanley is a freelance journalist, essayist and independent producer living in Chicago. She has an M.S. from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
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