RiverWise receives more federal funding to support local solar power

Oct 14, 2024

Some of Beaver County's rural communities may soon see the effects of solar power investments in their area.

In a recent wave of federal funding, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced that RiverWise, a Beaver County nonprofit, would receive $200,000 for its Rural Innovation through Solar Empowerment (RISE) Project. This project seeks to help rural areas in Justice40 communities access solar power. This recent wave of funding is part of Phase Two of the DOE's Energizing Communities Prize, which previously awarded $100,000 to begin the project in 2023.

“When innovation begins to take root in rural communities, that is a sure sign that something culturally significant and widespread is underway," said Daniel Rossi-Keen, executive director of RiverWise. "RiverWise is excited to be playing a small role in helping to accelerate solar innovation in rural environmental justice communities in Beaver County. Thanks to the ongoing support of DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, partners on The RISE Project are proving that energy innovation is not only possible in places like Beaver County. We are demonstrating a hunger for innovation that is quickly being turned into reality.”

According to the nonprofit, this funding will continue to support their solar energy projects and feasibility studies around the county, including projects in Ambridge, the New Brighton School District, Uncommon Grounds Cafe and the Neighborhood North Museum of Play. Additional community funding has raised $1.5 million for these solar energy projects, which will benefit communities by saving money on energy costs.

While great for the environment, clean energy projects are also a way for many communities to save money on keeping electricity flowing to their communities. Within their portfolio of 100 potential, planned and implemented solar energy projects, RiverWise estimates that over $74 million in rural energy savings will occur over 25 years.

“We are excited to be a part of this innovative project that brings partners’ technical expertise and community engagement together to inspire entities toward a pathway of energy production that saves them valuable resources,” said Sharon Pillar, founder and executive director of Pennsylvania Solar Center. “The prize will enable The RISE Project to continue to help more entities to hire more workers and expand their services to the community through significant savings and stable electricity prices for many decades into the future.”

According to RiverWise, the RISE Project has discussed solar power options with more than 250 property owners interested in utilizing solar energy. To date, they have conducted 37 solar energy feasibility studies that show "the most promise and willingness" to undertake the projects.