en.Wedoany.com Reported - Ameresco is installing new rooftop solar systems at two campuses of the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP), aiming to generate on-site electricity and reduce reliance on the public power grid. The solar arrays are being installed at CCP's main campus (Spring Garden neighborhood) and the Northeast Regional Center campus, with construction expected to be completed by the end of this year.

This project is part of CCP's long-term sustainability goals and is supported by Pennsylvania's "Solar for Schools" grant program. Established under the Solar for Schools Act passed in 2024, the program aims to help educational institutions in the state reduce utility expenses, allowing saved funds to be reinvested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. By adhering to the state's framework for energy performance contracts, this direct ownership model will provide up to 50% of project funding, with CCP covering the remainder. Under Act 68 of 2024, the state grant cap for a single community college is $500,000 or 50% of the total project cost, whichever is lower. Neither Ameresco nor CCP has disclosed the specific financial contract amount or state grant figures.

Louis Maltezos, Co-President of Ameresco, stated that higher education institutions play a significant role in advancing renewable energy, and CCP's practice serves as an example. Tim Trzaska, Director of Construction Management at CCP, noted that this project is an important step for the college in building a more sustainable and resilient campus for students and the broader community. Recently, Ameresco has completed similar projects at multiple U.S. universities, including upgrading the entire energy system at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, as part of a $14.5 million project, and installing a 157-kilowatt grid-connected solar system on the roof of Northeastern University's Snell Library in Boston, supporting campus energy infrastructure modernization and decarbonization goals.