Mid-Atlantic States are warming up to solar panels

Solar energy advocates are in Philadelphia for a multi-day conference on the future of generating more electricity from the sun.

Pennsylvania and New Jersey are among the states who are pushing households and businesses to add solar panels to offset rising energy costs. The Mid-Atlantic states are offering big incentives coupled with federal stimulus money to get their alternative energy projects going.

Solar energy advocates are in Philadelphia for a multi-day conference on the future of generating more electricity from the sun.

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[audio: 090608tmsolar.mp3]

Pennsylvania and New Jersey are among the states who are pushing households and businesses to add solar panels to offset rising energy costs. The Mid-Atlantic states are offering big incentives coupled with federal stimulus money to get their alternative energy projects going.

Mayor Michael Nutter says the city is working as part of the Greenworks Philadelphia plan to install solar panels on city facilities.

Nutter: We’re taking advantage of the need to replace a roof at our fleet workshop in looking to fully replace it with solar panels.  we’ve determined large scale solar installation possibilities at a number of our water department sites as well.

As of 2007 almost six percent of the state’s electricity came from renewable sources. Governor Ed Rendell says his goal is 20 percent for Pennsylvania by 2019. The goal is 30 percent for New Jersey by 2020.