whyy.org Open in urlscan Pro
2620:12a:8000::1  Public Scan

Form analysis
3 forms found in the DOM

GET https://whyy.org/

<form method="get" id="searchform" action="https://whyy.org/" class="search-form sb-search">
  <label for="s" class="screen-reader-text assistive-text">Search for:</label>
  <input type="search" id="search-terms" class="sb-search-input form-text search-field" name="s" placeholder="Enter your keyword">
  <div class="form-action">
    <div class="form-submit-button">
      <input type="submit" id="search-submit" class="sb-search-submit" value="Search">
    </div>
    <span class="sb-icon-search"></span>
  </div>
</form>

Name: mc-embedded-subscribe-form — POST //support.whyy.org/page/13885/subscribe/2

<form action="//support.whyy.org/page/13885/subscribe/2" method="post" id="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" name="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" class="validate" target="_blank" novalidate="">
  <div id="mc_embed_signup_scroll">
    <div class="mc-field-group">
      <label for="mce-EMAIL" class="element-invisible">Enter your email here</label>
      <input type="email" value="" name="supporter.emailAddress" class="required email" id="mce-EMAIL" placeholder="Enter your email here">
    </div>
    <div class="mc-field-group input-group" style="display:none;">
      <ul>
        <!-- pass the email list -->
        <li><input type="checkbox" value="Y" name="supporter.questions.141888" id="supporter.questions.141888" checked=""><label for="supporter.questions.141888"></label></li>
        <!-- pass the universal opt-in -->
        <li class="last"><input type="checkbox" value="Y" name="supporter.questions.134091" id="en__field_supporter_questions_134091" checked="">
          <label for="en__field_supporter_questions_134091"></label>
        </li>
      </ul>
    </div>
    <div id="mce-responses" class="clear">
      <div class="response" id="mce-error-response" style="display:none"></div>
      <div class="response" id="mce-success-response" style="display:none"></div>
    </div> <!-- real people should not fill this in and expect good things - do not remove this or risk form bot signups-->
    <div style="position: absolute; left: -5000px;" aria-hidden="true"><input id="en__field_supporter_NOT_TAGGED_92" type="text" class="en__field__input en__field__input--text" name="supporter.NOT_TAGGED_92" tabindex="-1" value=""></div>
    <div class="mc-field-submit clear"><input type="submit" value="Subscribe" name="subscribe" id="subscribe-promo" class="button"></div>
  </div>
</form>

Name: mc-embedded-subscribe-form — POST //support.whyy.org/page/13887/subscribe/2

<form action="//support.whyy.org/page/13887/subscribe/2" method="post" id="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" name="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" class="validate" target="_blank" novalidate="">
  <div id="mc_embed_signup_scroll">
    <div class="mc-field-group">
      <label for="mce-EMAIL" class="element-invisible">Enter your email here</label>
      <input type="email" value="" name="supporter.emailAddress" class="required email" id="mce-EMAIL" placeholder="Enter your email here">
    </div>
    <div class="mc-field-group input-group" style="display:none;">
      <ul>
        <!-- pass the email list -->
        <li><input type="checkbox" value="Y" name="supporter.questions.141881" id="" checked=""><label for=""></label></li>
        <!-- pass the universal opt-in -->
        <li class="last"><input type="checkbox" value="Y" name="supporter.questions.134091" id="en__field_supporter_questions_134091" checked="">
          <label for="en__field_supporter_questions_134091"></label>
        </li>
      </ul>
    </div>
    <div id="mce-responses" class="clear">
      <div class="response" id="mce-error-response" style="display:none"></div>
      <div class="response" id="mce-success-response" style="display:none"></div>
    </div> <!-- real people should not fill this in and expect good things - do not remove this or risk form bot signups-->
    <div style="position: absolute; left: -5000px;" aria-hidden="true"><input id="en__field_supporter_NOT_TAGGED_92" type="text" class="en__field__input en__field__input--text" name="supporter.NOT_TAGGED_92" tabindex="-1" value=""></div>
    <div class="mc-field-submit clear"><input type="submit" value="Subscribe" name="subscribe" id="mc-embedded-subscribe" class="button"></div>
  </div>
</form>

Text Content

Skip to content


TODAY EXPLAINED

Listen Live

LISTEN LIVE

Next

FRESH AIR

Fresh Air opens the window on contemporary arts and issues with guests from
worlds as diverse as literature and economics. Terry Gross hosts this
multi-award-winning daily interview and features program.

WHYY
rewind
play
fast-forward
Listen Live • Today Explained
00:00
00:00
Schedule
WHYY
 * Donate

Primary Menu



 * News
   * Philly
   * Pa.
   * Politics
   * Elections
   * PlanPhilly
   * Climate Desk
   * Gun Violence Prevention
   * N.J.
   * Del.
   * Education
   * Arts & Culture
   * Health & Science
   * Urban Planning
 * Radio & Podcasts
   * Radio Schedule
   * Ways to Listen
   * WHYY App
 * TV
   * Live TV
   * WHYY TV Schedule
   * Watch on Demand
   * WHYY Passport
     * Watch Online
     * Activation Assistance and FAQ
     * Free PBS Video App
     * Become a WHYY Passport Member
 * Arts
 * Events
   * Email Alerts
   * Updates on Postponed Events
   * Contact Us
 * Education
   * Your Learning Neighborhood
     * Learning at Home
       * PBS LearningMedia
       * Watch PBS Kids Online
       * WHYY Learning Shorts
     * Learning at School
     * Learning in Your Community
   * Youth Media Toolkit
   * Youth Media Awards
   * Field Trips
   * For Students
     * Summer Camps
     * Summer Reading
   * Pathways to Media Careers
   * Student Work
   * WHYY Media Labs

Search for:

 * LIVE TV
 * For Kids
 * Support
   * WHYY Membership
   * WHYY Shop
   * Vehicle Donation
   * Volunteer
   * Legacy Society
     * Membership
       * WHYY Member Portal
       * FAQ
       * WHYY Passport
       * WHYY MemberCard Partners
 * Donate

 * Science
 * Energy
 * Environment
 * Pennsylvania
 * Philadelphia
 * Sustainability

 * Facebook
 * Twitter
 * Email

WHYY News Climate Desk


PHILADELPHIA WILL POWER UP TO 25% OF ITS BUILDINGS WITH SOLAR ENERGY FROM ADAMS
COUNTY ARRAY BY EARLY 2024

PHILADELPHIA TAKES STEPS TOWARD RENEWABLE ENERGY GOALS WITH A SOLAR FARM IN
ADAMS COUNTY.

   
   By
 * Susan Phillips
   December 30, 2023

Listen 1:05

An aerial view of the 80 MW solar field in Adams County. About 230,000 panels
will help power city-owned buildings, allowing Philadelphia to move closer to
its climate goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030. (City of Philadelphia)

This story is part of the WHYY News Climate Desk, bringing you news and
solutions for our changing region.

From the Poconos to the Jersey Shore to the mouth of the Delaware Bay, what do
you want to know about climate change? What would you like us to cover? Get in
touch.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A 230,000-panel solar field in rural Adams County will soon put the city of
Philadelphia closer to its goal of powering all of its buildings with renewable
energy by 2030.

Spanning about 700 acres, and comprising about a dozen parcels in Straban
Township near Gettysburg, the 80-megawatt solar field will provide city-owned
buildings with 70 megawatts of renewable energy, or between 23% to 25% of its
electricity needs.

   
 * 
   WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

Mayor Jim Kenney initiated the project back in 2018, but it was delayed by the
pandemic, which brought work stoppages and supply chain issues. At the time, the
officials negotiated a power purchase agreement that locked in a price of $44.50
per megawatt, which is about 15% lower than current electricity rates paid by
the city.

“We had a lot of struggles with this project because of the timing, and so it’s
exciting to now have this project come online and bring us closer to our goals,”
said Dominic McGraw, deputy director of energy services and operations for the
city’s Office of Sustainability.

RELATED CONTENT

Science

Orange skies, flash floods, and offshore wind drama: Here are WHYY News’ top
climate stories of 2023

Climate change took a big toll on the Philly region this year, featuring
everything from wildfire smoke to serious flash floods. And yet, climate
solutions abound.

2 weeks ago

He said the project will also allow the city to avoid paying higher rates for
natural gas generated electricity, which is subject to market volatility.

“So thankfully, the solar project had locked in rates pre-pandemic and pre-war
in Ukraine, and so we were able to take advantage of super competitive rates,”
McGraw said.

The warmer than expected temperatures so far this winter, however, have recently
lowered natural gas prices.

In addition to locking in those prices for the next 20 years, McGraw says the
city has since initiated the Streetlight Improvement Plan, which switches out
incandescent bulbs for LEDs in 100,000 street lamps. This will cut street light
electricity usage in half, which in turn increases the portion of renewable
energy provided by the Adams County solar field to light up buildings like City
Hall and the Municipal Services Center, along with individual recreation centers
and police stations.

   
 * 
   WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

With the city’s current renewable credits accounting for about 8% of its
electricity demand, it still has an additional 70% of its power to acquire to
meet its goal within the next six years. To do that, it’s planning to put out a
second RFP, which McGraw says will likely be solar since offshore wind has hit
some roadblocks.

“I know that the benefits to the city are massive,” he said. “And what we’re
seeing is that having solar guaranteed for our usage is very practical and an
effective way to procure energy.”

An aerial view of the 80 MW solar field in Adams County. About 230,000 panels
will help power city-owned buildings, allowing Philadelphia to move closer to
its climate goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030. (City of Philadelphia)

Renewable energy is just one part of the equation, however.

“Conservation plays such a key role in all of this,” said McGraw. “There’s a lot
of demand coming onto the electrical grid now with the electric vehicle charging
infrastructure. And so I think conservation and smart building technology play a
key role.”

The Adams County solar farm is owned and operated by Energix, a company with
offices in the U.S., Poland, and Israel. The energy itself does not go directly
to Philadelphia’s buildings through transmission lines, but rather flows into
the power grid operated by PJM. While PECO distributes the energy, the city
sources its electricity from WGL, which will provide the renewable energy
credits.

RELATED CONTENT

Politics & Policy

What the climate talks in Dubai mean for the Philadelphia region

Here's a look at what these talks have yielded in the past, and what people in
the Delaware Valley hope to get out of COP28.

1 month ago

Listen 5:04

Philadelphia-owned buildings are not the only ones about to get a boost in power
from the sun. The University of Pennsylvania is about to turn on one of the
largest solar fields in the state to help reach its goal of 100% carbon
neutrality by 2042. The plant in Central Pennsylvania will provide 220 megawatts
of power to light up campus buildings in University City.

While solar power is growing in the state, it remains a small part of
electricity generation overall. Pennsylvania reached one gigawatt (1,000
megawatts) of installed solar in mid-December, which is enough to power about
140,000 homes. An additional 550 megawatts is expected to come online by the
summer, according to the Public Utility Commission. Nationwide, the Energy
Information Administration predicts solar capacity to increase 39% in 2024,
which when combined with wind will generate more electricity than coal for the
first time.

🌎 WHYY News Climate Desk
0/200


YOUR CONTACT INFO

Keep in touch with the Climate Desk for the latest climate news and solutions
for our region.


Sign up for Climate Desk updates

Please don't publish my name

I am over 16 years old

I accept the Terms of Service

Submit

Powered by Hearken | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Get daily updates from WHYY News!

The free WHYY News Daily newsletter delivers the most important local stories to
your inbox.

Enter your email here
   
 * 
   
 * 




Share this
 * Facebook
 * Twitter
 * Email

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a
nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you.
Please give today.

PART OF THE SERIES


WHYY NEWS CLIMATE DESK

View the series

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Science

University of Delaware researching how methane leaks from landfills

University of Delaware is one of five institutions across the U.S. that received
funding from the EPA to study how to measure methane in landfills more
accurately.

4 days ago

Science

Orange skies, flash floods, and offshore wind drama: Here are WHYY News’ top
climate stories of 2023

Climate change took a big toll on the Philly region this year, featuring
everything from wildfire smoke to serious flash floods. And yet, climate
solutions abound.

2 weeks ago

Science

Amtrak backs off plan to install natural gas boilers at 30th Street Station

Crediting climate activists and new climate goals, Amtrak reversed its plans to
replace a steam system with natural gas boilers.

2 months ago

Listen 1:03

ABOUT SUSAN PHILLIPS

Read more
@susanphill sphillips@whyy.org

   
 * 
   WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor
   
 * 
   WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

LATEST NEWS


 * WIC HELPS MOMS AND KIDS EAT. BUT FINDING WHAT YOU NEED ISN’T ALWAYS EASY
   
   10 mins ago


 * HERSHEY SUED FOR $5M OVER MISSING ‘CUTE’ FACE ON REESE’S PEANUT BUTTER
   PUMPKINS
   
   45 mins ago


 * AMIDST MARKET CHALLENGES FOR OFFSHORE WIND, DELAWARE RECOMMENDS FLEXIBILITY
   FOR FUTURE STATE PROJECTS
   
   1 hour ago



Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly
newsletter.



Enter your email here
   
 * 
   
 * 




49%

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal

Donate
Learn about WHYY Member benefits
Ways to Donate
WHYY

WHYY provides trustworthy, fact-based, local news and information and
world-class entertainment to everyone in our community.

WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyone’s stories,
a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for
unbiased news. Learn more about Social Responsibility at WHYY. It’s how we live.



CONTACT US

Philadelphia

215.351.1200
talkback@whyy.org

Delaware

302.516.7506
talkback@whyy.org

OUR PROGRAMS

 * Albie’s Elevator
 * Art Outside
 * Billy Penn
 * Check, Please! Philly
 * Community Conversations
 * The Connection
 * Delishtory
 * Flicks
 * Fresh Air
 * Good Souls
 * The Infinite Art Hunt
 * Movers & Makers
 * On Stage at Curtis
 * PlanPhilly
 * The Pulse
 * Real Black History
 * Schooled
 * The Statue
 * Stop and Frisk: Revisit or Resist
 * Studio 2
 * Things To Do
 * Voices in the Family
 * WHYY News Climate Desk
 * You Oughta Know
 * Young Creators Studio
 * Young, Unhoused and Unseen
 * Your Democracy

INSIDE WHYY

 * About
   * Social Responsibility at WHYY
   * Board and Executives
   * Community Advisory Board
   * Frequently Asked Questions
   * Employment
   * Internships
   * Press Room
   * Meet Our Newsroom
   * WHYY News Style Guide
   * WHYY Productions
   * WHYY Spaces
   * Submissions
   * History
   * Directions
   * Coverage Area
   * Financial Statements
   * WHYY Community Report
   * Supporters
   * Privacy
 * Meet Our Newsroom
 * Employment
 * N.I.C.E. Initiative
 * Contact Us
 * Sponsorship
 * Directions
 * FCC Public Files
 * FCC Applications

FOLLOW US

 * Facebook
 * Twitter
 * Instagram
 * YouTube

Sign up for a Newsletter

© MMXXIV WHYY

 * Privacy Policy
 * Terms of Use for WHYY.org

WHYY is partnered with