PASEIA is an organization of manufacturers, developers, contractors, installers, architects, engineers, consultants and other industry professionals dedicated to advancing the interests of solar energy and to developing a strong local PA industry offering high quality installation and professional services to business and residential customers in the region we serve.
MSEIA is the regional chapter for New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware of the national Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), and was organized in 1997.
To contact PASEIA, please email: paseia@mseia.net
Also see the PASEIA's public blog at www.paseia.blogspot.com
Saving Solar in Pennsylvania Campaign
For updates on the campaign, see www.paseia.blogspot.com;
also see www.repross.com/wfy.aspx.
H.B.1580 – Get The Facts
Over 4,700 Jobs Created and Counting...
The Issue
· Due to the huge explosion of solar PV installations in Pennsylvania over the last two years, there are now over 5,500 solar PV systems in PA, totaling to over 130 MW of solar capacity; this equates to almost 3 times more solar supply than what is currently required in PA; its even more than what is required in 2014.
· This is about a 90 percent drop in price, This unforeseen growth has reduced the price of Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) by 90%, which has drastically slowed down new project installations, and has caused hundreds of Pennsylvanian jobs to be lost in just the last few months; it has stripped solar businesses down to the bone if not shut them down completely, and has caused many other solar businesses to relocate out of Pennsylvania.
The Solution: House Bill #1580 w/Amendment
· This bill proposes a small fix to the amount of solar energy credits (SRECs) required to be purchased by utility companies in the years 2012 through 2015 so that the requirement more closely matches the growth of solar demand.
· Net-Zero: This legislation will not increase the overall solar share requirement, but simply moves the requirement forward from the later years, so that the solar energy industry can be sustained and continue to grow now, where it is needed.
· The cost of this fix to the ratepayer is insignificant; only 4 cents per month for residential customers.
· This bill protects Pennsylvania ratepayers with a cost cap; by setting a fixed Alternative Compliance Payment schedule this bill implements a cost cap mechanism not currently part of the Act #213; this is seen as critical to protect ratepayers.
· Allows for solar thermal technology to qualify for SRECs as well as solar photovoltaic systems; this further reduces costs to ratepayers.
· HB1580 ensures the benefits from solar energy stays in Pennsylvania; by requiring solar energy systems to connect to Pennsylvania’s distribution system this bill ensures that Pennsylvania ratepayers directly receive all the benefits of solar energy and they do not pay for new projects built out of state; it also ensures Pennsylvania’s electric infrastructure is enhanced by the benefits as oppose to exporting those benefits elsewhere.
See the following files for download:
HB1580 - Get the Facts - Updated
Original HB150
HB1580 Amendment
House Consumer Affairs Committee Members
Consumer Affairs Committee Hearing 1/11/2011 - Condensed Transcript
Ratepayer Impact Analysis:
PASEIA - Original
Dayhill Group
Sample Letters from Constituents to Legislators:
- Thank You - From Constituents to House Reps Supporting HB1580
- Urging Support - From Constituents to House Reps NOT Supporting HB1580
- Urging Support - From Constituents to State Senators to sponsor SB1350
Link to PA General Assembly - Find House and Senate Members, and more...
Please Make a Donation to "Saving Solar in PA Campaign"
Download Form for mailing in a check »
Raising the Bar
for PASEIA Members
The PASEIA Professional Standards Committee had discussed the importance of association members voluntary adopting professional, technical and ethical standards. The following final draft Code of Ethics was released by the committee in August 2011 and is a work in progress. PASEIA hopes to formally put such a code in place later in 2012. » Code of Ethics
Comments? Questions? Want to get involved in the Professional Standards Committee? Please email sdeprisco@verizon.net or anthony@guerreraelectric.com
2010 - What a great year it was for solar, but now Pennsylvania has a serious SREC oversupply problem...click to read more
Solar Foundation Report highlights solar industry growth and jobs in Pennsylvania - Read about it here
Permitting Guides. PASEIA contributed to this Guidebook released by the Philadelphia Office of Sustainability. Click here for more information on this initiative.
PASEIA was very active with the Governor's Solar Working Group over the last couple of years and came out with two model ordinances for PA, as well as a Solar Guideline for Municipalities:
Solar Energy Systems Ordinance
Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance for Large-Scale Solar Facilities
Solar Energy Systems - A Guide for Pennsylvania Municipal Officials
Check out the NREL Open PV project: The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has put out this tremendous resource mapping PV projects across the country. Check out how PA is doing!
PASEIA Executive Committee:
Ron Celentano, President (VP for PA, MSEIA Executive Committee)
Mike Newman (Haller Enterprises), Vice President
Andrew Kleeman (Mercury Solar), Member at Large
Maureen Mulligan, Lobbyist and Policy Expert
Membership Committee
Andrew Kleeman
Ian Smith
Mike Newman
Vincent O'Grady
Linda Johansson
Tim Wolfe
Joe Coyle
Michael Matotek
Policy Committee
Ron Celentano
Mike Newman
Andrew Kleeman
Adam Stern
Brett Thibodeau
Joe Coyle
Michael Matotek
Tim Wolf
Eric Abeshaus
Mike Healy
Gary Lakritz
Jenny Hoffpauir
Carrie Makoid
Maureen Mulligan, Lobbyist and Policy Expert
Professional Standards Committee (Technical & Ethics):
Sal DePrisco
Anthony Guerrera
Kevin Wright
Jude Webster
Roan Confer
