Solar Energy To Light Up Wilkes-Barre Township Shopping Center

English: Map of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania highlighting Wilkes-Barre Township (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

EDWARDSVILLE, PA — After successfully using solar energy at the Gateway Shopping Center, Joe Amato Properties is number crunching on the feasibility to install solar panels at the East End Centre, Wilkes-Barre Township.

Three years ago, the Gateway Shopping Center in Edwardsville made a groundbreaking move, becoming the first area shopping plaza to install solar panels to light all common areas such as parking lots, lights under canopies and an office space.

Liana Kissinger, property manager for Joe Amato Properties, and A.J. Bittner, president with Keystone Energy Solar Services, Wyoming, confirmed they are working together again with the East End Centre under consideration for a similar installation.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/business/50441894/Solar-energy-to-light-up-East-End-Centre

New Solar-Powered Car-Charging Stations Unveiled In Robinson

The Mall at Robinson (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  When we were on assignment in Pittsburgh a few weeks ago, we stayed across the street from the Mall at Robinson and walked right by these very charging stations.  Should have taken a picture….drat!  Oh well, hindsight is 20/20 but if you read the whole article the Post Gazette took a nice picture for your viewing pleasure.

In the parking lot outside the food court at the Mall at Robinson, a silver Chevy Volt sat in a space painted with a green and white electric vehicle decal, waiting for a jolt. Inside, representatives from Eaton and Wesco gathered by a gray kiosk that monitors the amount of energy being generated by the new 8 kilowatt solar panels on top of the mall.

By 11 a.m. the panels had generated 4.11 kw of energy, enough to power 46 laptops. They also generated enough power to give an electric car a full charge in two hours. That’s a perk for hybrid drivers because the mall’s newest car charging stations are connected to the panels.

The charging stations were officially unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, but they have been operational since June. Beth Edwards, the mall’s general manager, said she has been surprised by the response.

“I’ve seen several cars using it. We actually had a mall walker who went out and bought an electric car so they could charge it when they’re walking in the mall,” she said.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/business/2014/07/25/Mall-at-Robinson-unveils-new-solar-powered-car-charging-stations/stories/201407250036#ixzz38VRlqzoC

Pittsburgh Solar Tour To Show Local Applications Of Solar Power

A map of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with its neighborhoods labeled. For use primarily in the list of Pittsburgh neighborhoods. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Roger Westman can easily tell when his solar panels are working. On a sunny day, his electric meter runs backward. But his rain garden? To see how it does the job, he braved a couple of downpours last fall.

“There’s good ol’ me, standing out there with an umbrella,” he said, laughing.

So, what was the verdict?

“It worked marvelously. It never overflowed, and in a half-hour to an hour it completely drained.”

Sustainable rain or shine, the house in Point Breeze that he shares with William Stevens is one of 23 stops on the Pittsburgh Solar Tour, which runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. Most are homes with solar water heaters or photovoltaic panels like the 6.9-kilowatt solar array on the roof of Mr. Westman and Mr. Stevens’ house. But the free tour organized by PennFuture will also include institutions that have gone solar, electric bicycles that tour-goers can try, and a tractor whose horsepower comes from the sun.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/life/home/pittsburgh-solar-tour-to-show-local-applications-of-solar-power-707245/#ixzz2hWWiGLFY

Pennsylvania’s Largest Solar Farm Taking Shape In East DrumoreTownship

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lancaster County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The former Gerald Kreider poultry farm in southern Lancaster County has taken on a new shine.

About 8,000 panels of glasslike crystalline silica may now be seen glinting in the sun as what will be Pennsylvania’s largest solar farm takes shape in East Drumore Township, just south of Buck.

By the time the field of solar panels begins producing electricity sometime this fall, 20,702 panels will be in place, each about 3 feet by 5 feet, covering some 30 acres.

Construction on the Keystone Solar Project began about six weeks ago, following 18 months of planning and marketing of the “green” electricity to be produced.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/701930_Pennsylvania-s-largest-solar-farm-taking-shape-in-East-DrumoreTownship.html#ixzz22Lgok9Np

South Central PA Restaurants Going Green And Reaping The Benefits

Great news from our friends in Harrisburg about eating establishments who are going or have gone green!

Nonna’s Deli Sioso, 263 Reily Street, Harrisburg has installed solar panels on their roof.  The solar panels provide 75 percent of the deli’s electricity and make hot water.  They use local produce whenever possible.  Nonna’s supports the arts by being a 3^rd in the Burg participant!

Isaac’s Restaurant & Deli, a chain with locations across Pennsylvania, is building their new locations with recycled materials, using solar tubes for lighting and using more energy efficient HVAC systems.

Neato Burrito, metro Harrisburg locations, is ditching the Styrofoam cups in favor of plant-based cups that are fully compostable.  The next improvement will be green utensils.

Mangia Qui, 272 North Street, Harrisburg uses non-toxic paint, green cleaning products and LED light bulbs.  They use only hydroponically grown greens and produce.  They buy antibiotic and hormone-free chicken and grass-fed beef.  Containers are 100 percent biodegradable and the dishwashers are low energy.  Solar panels are planned for the roof and the conversion of their heaters to an on-demand hot water system.  Mangia Qui supports the arts by being a 3^rd in the Burg participant!

If you are ecologically responsible and would like to support businesses who walk to the talk, we encourage you to consider visting these establishments.  If you support the Harrisburg Arts Revitalization, two of these restaurants are also working toward that goal by participating in 3rd in the Burg.

To learn more about 3rd in the Burg: http://3rdintheburg.com/