Reading, Pennsylvania, started construction on a 4,255-panel solar project being installed across city facilities. The arrays will be built at Reading’s public works campus and Cedar Street parking lot near city hall, and will cover those facilities’ electricity costs once completed.
Credit: The City of Reading, Pennsylvania
Through Pennsylvania’s Guaranteed Energy Savings Act (GESA), the project is estimated to save the city $13.5 million in energy costs.
“Today’s groundbreaking represents another important step forward for the City of Reading,” said Mayor Eddie Morán. “These projects are helping us lower costs, stabilize our energy budget, reduce air pollution, and make city facilities more sustainable and efficient for years to come.”
This project uses existing parking lots to produce renewable energy while improving public infrastructure. Reading’s sustainability manager Bethany Ayers Fisher said the investment positions the city for a stronger and more sustainable future.
“Investing in local renewable energy infrastructure makes good fiscal sense,” said Ayers Fisher. “These projects will help stabilize our operational budget, reduce pollution and allow us to continue investing in our community.”
The solar project is part of the city’s larger GESA initiative, which has included upgrades to more than 3,200 LED lights across municipal buildings, parks, recreation centers and public spaces throughout Reading. The city has also completed HVAC upgrades, solar lighting installations, insulation improvements and upgraded sports lighting technology at several facilities and parks.
News item from the City of Reading, Pennsylvania
