Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority To Switch To Solar Energy Saving An Estimated $2 Million Over Next 25 Years

On February 8, the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority announced it will soon make the switch to solar with the help of the nonprofit Pennsylvania Solar Center’s G.E.T. Solar Program, which provides free technical assistance and financial guidance to businesses and organizations looking to go solar. 

After a competitive RFP process, CCRRA has hired local solar developer Envinity to complete the installation.

The 791.5-kilowatt solar system will be installed over three separate CCRRA buildings and is estimated to produce about 939,881 kwh/year, which will offset more than 100% of the facility’s annual energy usage.  

Envinity estimates the system will save the Authority nearly $2 million over the next 25 years.

CCRRA states their solar system will benefit the public in four main ways: 1) by freeing up capital to improve the services provided by the Authority, 2) reducing energy demand, 3) increasing energy supply, and 4) providing education on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability through public tours and other programs.

“The Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority looks forward to saving significant money and reducing our carbon footprint by transitioning to solar energy,” said Ted Onufrak, Executive Director of CCRRA. “We have been encountering the effects of inflation and other rising costs everywhere we turn, so needless to say, it will be a relief to find major savings on our electric bill with the help of solar.”

“With the volatility in electricity costs that we’ve experienced over the past several years, and the federal Inflation Reduction Act offering cost-saving incentives to go solar, we are seeing many customers choose to make the switch,” said Jason Grottini, Vice President of Envinity. “We congratulate CCRRA for having the vision and resolve to achieve this milestone and move the Authority into the clean energy economy.”

“It is our hope that CCRRA will serve as an inspiration to other area businesses and organizations in flipping the switch to solar,” said Jon Bunyaratapan, Program Manager at the PA Solar Center. “It has been a privilege to help such a stalwart of the community forge a path forward to clean energy – and save about $2 million that will be better spent serving Centre County.”

Solar energy is the fastest growing energy in the country and is saving businesses, nonprofits, communities, and residents thousands of dollars in utility bills. 

Businesses that go solar are hedging against volatile electricity pricing because the cost of solar, once the upfront equipment costs are paid, is nearly free. 

Visit the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority website for information on recycling and waste management.

Get Solar Webinar Feb. 29

If you are a business, nonprofit, municipality, or school and want to learn if exploring solar is a good idea for you, please consider attending our next GET Solar webinar on February 29 from Noon to 1:30 p.m..

We will answer commonly asked questions and go over a long list of possible financing options that can make going solar for your organization a no-brainer.

Click Here to register.

For more information on solar energy, visit the G.E.T. Solar Program webpage.

Related Article:

-- PA Solar Center: 2 Get Solar Projects Move Forward In Lawrence, Centre Counties; Get Solar Webinar Feb. 29; FirstEnergy Companies Double Solar Rebates  [PaEN]

[Posted: February 8, 2024]  PA Environment Digest