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PEA Announces Selection of Solarize Philly Installers

At a press conference on June 22, 2017, with Council President Clarke, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, Councilman Derek Green and Councilwoman Helen Gym, the Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) announced the three selected solar installation companies for Solarize Philly.  We selected KISS Electric, Moore Energy, and Solar States, based on a Request for Proposals which we released at the end of April.  

Council President Clarke stated: “I launched the Philadelphia Energy Campaign to challenge institutions, businesses, and government to take a more creative approach to the challenges of global warming and joblessness. Solarize Philly will create jobs in a growing sector while providing Philly homeowners an opportunity to reduce their bills and shrink their carbon footprint. Solar energy should no longer be viewed as a ‘suburban’ luxury, but as an affordable option toward a more sustainable future.”

Companies were selected based on the quality of their applications, references from their past work, and approaches to growth.  We are confident that all three companies will provide high quality work, a clear and supportive sales process, and a commitment to developing solar careers for Philadelphians. PEA will provide additional quality assurance testing and customer satisfaction surveys to ensure the best possible customer experience as part of this program.

“The energetic response we’ve received since announcing Solarize Philly two months ago – more than 525 interested households so far — indicates real pent-up demand for solar in our City,” said Philadelphia Energy Authority Executive Director Emily Schapira. “Residential solar produces a higher number of jobs per dollar invested than any other energy program we could take on. PEA and our partners in City Council are committed to bringing those jobs to Philadelphia.”

During the selection process, we kept our priority of local job creation front and center.  One selected installer based in Philadelphia, Solar States, was recently featured on CBS News for their diversity hiring model.  Workforce development is central to Solar State’s mission, leading them to teach a solar training class at YouthBuild Charter School and to hire graduates from the program. The other two selected companies – KISS Electric and Moore Energy – are based in Bucks County, and are eager to scale and hire from Philadelphia-based training programs. Their success to date in the surrounding counties represents a strong growth mindset and ability to scale.  We are looking forward to working with KISS Electric and Moore Energy to increase their diversity and help them transition into the Philadelphia market.

This summer, in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia’s Career and Technical Education program, PEA will launch a six-week WorkReady Philadelphia course training students in solar installation at Ben Franklin High School’s Renewable Energy Lab – the first such program to be offered by the District. The Philadelphia Energy Authority continues to work with partners citywide to identify and promote opportunities for adults seeking sustainable energy careers.

Interested homeowners can sign up to receive a free solar analysis and project quote at www.solarizephilly.org.

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