Solar & Battery Regulation & Incentive Programs

Penelec SEF of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies Loan Program (FirstEnergy Territory)

Program Overview


Category:
Financial Incentive
Program Type:
Loan Program
Implementing Sector:
Local
State:
Pennsylvania
Eligible Storage Technologies:
Solar - Passive, Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Thermal Process Heat, Solar Photovoltaics, Wind (All), Biomass, Hydroelectric, Combined Heat & Power, Fuel Cells using Non-Renewable Fuels, Landfill Gas, Yes; specific technologies not identified, Wind (Small), Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels
Website:
http://www.metedpenelecsef.org/index.php
Maximum Loan:
$500,000 (generally)
Loan Term:
Vary according to project
Administrator:
Community Foundation of the Alleghenies
Applicable Sectors:
Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Institutional
Utility:
Pennsylvania Electric Co
Last Updated:
06/13/2018

Summary

FirstEnergy (formerly GPU) established the Metropolitan Edison Company Sustainable Energy Fund and the Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund in 2000. The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies in Johnstown, Pennsylvania administers the Penelec loan and grant components of the Fund, which has assets of approximately $9.1 million. The majority of funding available from the fund takes the form of investments made in businesses pursuing one or more of the fund's objectives. These funds typically will be distributed as loans or equity investments. The program is open to any individual, organization, governmental entity, or corporation. Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund and Metropolitan Edison Sustainable Energy Fund share an advisory committee and are commonly referred to in the singular as the Met Ed / Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund.

The fund is designed to promote:

  • The development and use of renewable energy and clean-energy technologies;
  • Energy conservation and efficiency;
  • Sustainable-energy businesses; and
  • Projects that improve the environment in the companies' service territories, as defined by their relationship to the companies' transmission and distribution facilities.

As identified on the program web site, specific types of projects eligible for loans may include renewable electricity generation projects for on-site use or grid supply; projects involving the development of a sustainable energy technology (e.g., solar panel manufacturing); businesses that use renewable energy in the operation of a business; and businesses that enhance energy efficiency and conservation.

Examples of projects funded in the past are available on the program web site, along with details of the investment guidelines.