Centre County, PA Local Officials Pen Groundbreaking Solar Project

Initiative projected to save local taxpayers $4.4 million over next 15 years for ten participating government entities 

[STATE COLLEGE, PA] – On Monday, January 27, ten governmental entities in Centre County have officially entered into a 15-year contract to supply their operations with renewable energy from a nearby solar project. It is believed that this cooperative solar purchase agreement is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania. 

“The ten members of the Centre County solar working group are excited to prove that we can work together to provide affordable Pennsylvania renewable energy. We are addressing budgetary stability and climate action at the same time,” noted Peter Buck, Chair of the Centre County Solar Working Group and Director on the State College Area School District’s Board.  “This project can serve as a model for other local government officials across Pennsylvania to emulate, and come together to bring future collaborative solar energy purchase agreements to fruition like this one.” 

The solar array supplying the energy will be located in Walker Township, Centre County and is expected to supply upwards of 80% of the electricity usage needed for the participating government entities, approximately 22 megawatts. It’s also expected to deliver significant savings to local taxpayers by locking into energy rates for the next 15 years, to the tune of nearly $4.4 million for all ten entities.

“For me, and I believe for many folks, solar power is the poster child of climate action,” noted Betsy Whitman, Patton Township Supervisor and member of the Solar Power Purchase Agreement Working Group. “I delight seeing it on home and industrial roofs, on small fields next to interstates, and as agrovoltaic projects complimented by sheep or more shade tolerant crops. It will save us money, reduce our carbon footprint, and add to the electrical grid.”

The entities include the county government for Centre County, the Centre Region Council of Governments, the townships of College, Ferguson, Harris, and Patton, State College Borough, the State College Borough Water Authority and College Township Water Authority, and the State College Area School District.

“The ten Centre County decision makers and government entities involved in this effort should pat themselves on the back for this groundbreaking project,” stated David Masur, Executive Director for the statewide nonprofit organization PennEnvironment. “We are hopeful that other government officials across Pennsylvania will follow Centre County’s lead and implement similar projects all across the Keystone State.”

The number of entities involved in this solar power purchase agreement is likely groundbreaking in Pennsylvania. While governments collaborating to make collective purchases is commonplace, it is believed that an agreement involving this many government entities for solar power has not happened before in the commonwealth and perhaps the nation. 

Buck wants people to see this project as part of Pennsylvania’s legacy. “At a time when our citizens and our kids are calling on us to act on climate change and just get things done, central Pennsylvania’s leaders are delivering.” The project’s commercial operation date is set for Fall 2026.