en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation (WCDC), a nonprofit organization located in eastern Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has announced that its three-year solar project has entered commercial operation.
The 23.4-kilowatt solar array installed on the WCDC rooftop has been operational since this summer and was installed by local contractor EIS Solar. During the first month of operation, the solar array generated 7% more electricity than initially expected.
WCDC began the process of bringing solar power to its building in 2023. The Pennsylvania Solar Center, a solar nonprofit organization, assisted the development corporation in launching the project, navigating policy hurdles, and finding a suitable solar contractor through its GET Solar program.
Leo Kowalski, Director of Transformation at the Pennsylvania Solar Center, stated that organizations often need significant support when starting solar projects. Solar energy itself can be complex, and financing is a major challenge, but it is also a democratizing force that ordinary people can directly engage with.
The project is funded through multiple channels. Mahesh Sabhnani, a Google employee and local resident, donated $10,000 to the project, and Google matched this donation with an additional $10,000. The Neighborhood Community Development Fund, a financial institution focused on equity, developed a customized financing plan for the project's loan. The project also received state energy efficiency rebates, a federal investment tax credit, and a domestic content bonus adder.
Gordon Manker, Director of Business Development, stated that the array will save WCDC money on electricity bills, but more importantly, it serves as a demonstration solar project for the entire Wilkinsburg community. Through the trial operation of this project, WCDC hopes to observe the results and encourage more individuals and businesses to install solar panels on their rooftops.
WCDC leads development and renovation projects in Wilkinsburg, including rehabilitating homes and preserving historic buildings. The organization plans to host local workshops now that the array is operational, focusing on promoting solar energy to businesses and other organizations in the community.
Kowalski expressed hope to accomplish more in the coming years, potentially through new partnerships and new projects, working together with the community to move forward.
