Committed to long-term environmental responsibility and the development of renewable energy sources, the Borough of Media supports a multi-pronged environmental program. Hailed as the ,AeuSolar Capital of Pennsylvania,Aeu by Pennsylvania Department of Energy Secretary Kathleen McGinty, Media's program "Solar Energy for Media" has installed solar panels on five public buildings in the Borough. Two more are planned for 2008, which will bring the total kilowatts produced by the borough to 35,000 annually. The initiative was conceived by Councilman Pete Alyanakian who has led Media's Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) since its inception in 2004. Funding was provided by a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Energy Harvest Grant and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Sustainable Development Fund (SDF).

The Media Armory was the first recipient of a DEP Energy Harvest Grant for solar panel installation, which was completed as the building was being renovated in 2004 for the Pennsylvania Veterans' Museum. The second round of installations included Media Elementary School and Media Upper Providence Library in the fall of 2005. Installations were completed in the fall of 2006 with the Media Theatre and the Media Fire House. Under a third Energy Harvest Grant a solar installation is currently being installed on the Delaware County Courthouse, to be completed by February 2008. The Borough Hall will see an installation this spring and others are planned for later in the year.

Media Borough has the largest solar installation of any municipality in Pennsylvania. "Solar Energy for Media" improves the quality of air, helps to reduce global warming, reduces noxious pollutants, utilizes innovative technology from a local company, educates the general public and school children about solar energy, and supports homeland security by reducing dependence on imported oil. It is an ongoing program that continues to evolve. The overall goal is to create a micro grid with battery backup for emergencies. The battery back up is in the design phase and is unique in harnessing solar power for later use.

Solar Energy for Media is one part of Media Borough's overall environmental plan. The Borough is part of the Smart Energy Program having passed a resolution to purchase 20% of its total energy from clean energy sources by 2010; its Storm Water Program has produced and distributed an educational brochure on preventing run off and offered rain barrels and rain barrel workshops to Media residents; it is currently revamping its recycling program to increase commercial recycling and install recycling containers in its downtown district. The EAC is planning an educational campaign to raise awareness about the environmental effects of plastic bags in an effort to lower consumption.Media Borough Council was awarded the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence for the year 2006. The initiative has also won two Penn Future Awards as Cleanest Borough in PA, and the Southeastern PA Associations of Environmental Advisory Committees Environmental Recognition Award.

Solar Energy for Media has had a positive impact on the greater Philadelphia region by demonstrating large-scale solar energy production in an urban area. As the 'Solar Capital of Pennsylvania' Media Borough sets an example to smaller municipalities in the Philadelphia region of how they can become sustainable communities. Media's solar panels generate passive, clean and renewable energy, help to eliminate green house gases, improve the quality of air, create jobs in a new technological field, and decrease national dependence on imported oil. The project is environmentally innovative using cutting edge technology by generating energy without creating pollutants. The environment is safe-guarded and fossil fuel energy is conserved. Solar Energy for Media contributes to the economic well-being of the state by involving a start-up energy company that is creating jobs in a new industry. It demonstrates the importance of reducing air pollution as a long-term goal. Education of all citizens and especially school age children is one of the most important aspects of this project as they will be the energy consumers of the future.

Sustainable Use Natural Resources:

Solar Energy for Media currently generates an annual total of 25,000 kilowatt-hours of clean energy, reducing the use of fossil fuels. This reduction contributes to the improved overall air quality of the region by lowering the amount of noxious gases and heat released into the atmosphere by fossil fuel and refuse-burning power plants. By reducing sox and nox emission we are preserving our current level of forests climate change.

Replication of Project:

Solar Energy for Media is a project that any municipality may replicate. Media makes all of the information available to interested parties. The Borough has been contacted by Ambler, Phoenixville, Marple, Bensalem and Haverford for information about its Solar Energy for Media Program.

Unique Partnerships:

This project is an example of how a partnership between local and state governments can work with the nonprofit sector to ensure clean renewable energy for Media, surrounding communities, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and our nation. The Borough of Media, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Southeastern Pennsylvania Sustainable Energy Fund and the Rose Tree Media School District, Media Upper Providence Library, Media Theatre for the Performing Arts, and the Media Fire Company have come together to install panels, generate solar energy and to educate the public about the benefits. This project demonstrates the successful partnering of government and the nonprofit sector to support the purchase and installation of solar panels.

Sustainable Employment

The purchase of the solar panels and other equipment will have a direct benefit on the renewable energy industry. At the present time solar energy companies employ more workers than any other renewable energy business in Pennsylvania. It is anticipated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that solar energy will employ approximately 9,000 workers by the year 2010 in the installation components of the industry alone. Our supplier, SunTechnics, has grown since the first installation from employing five (5) people to twenty-nine (29) employees in 2007.

The impact of Solar Energy for Media on the greater Philadelphia region is described in the 'Sustainability Narrative' section of this application; it demonstrates large-scale solar energy production in an urban area and sets an example to smaller municipalities in the Philadelphia region of how they can partner with government and the non-profit sector to become a sustainable community.

Environmental Impact:

There are substantial environmental benefits from these installations. First the elimination of noxious air pollutants: currently, this project eliminates 61,471 lbs. of CO2, 85 lbs. of NOX and 340 lbs. of SO4, VOC and Mercury annually. The systems produce 25,628.66-kilowatt hours each year. The electricity generated from this project is the equivalent of 51,940 miles not driven, the planting of ten acres of mature trees annually and the saving of 60 barrels of oil per year. The actual dollar savings to the Borough is estimated to be at least $10,688.00 each year. The solar panels generate an average 6% percentage of the buildings' energy. The installation of solar panels allows the Borough to sell energy back to the Energy Cooperative at the premium rate of $0.20 per kilowatt while buying it at a much cheaper rate (at about 50% of the current bill), because there are no distribution charges. Additional the solar panels help the Commonwealth meet the goals of the Advanced Energy Portfolio Standard, while improving air quality, diminishing pollutants emitted by conventional power plants, and reducing the need for imported oil.