Colloquially known as Chesco, Chester County, Pennsylvania lies just outside Philadelphia, consisting of a mix of suburbs, small towns, and farmland. In recent years, Chesco has become increasingly focused on balancing growth with environmental responsibility. As part of this effort, the county has embarked on a bold mission to position itself as a leader in solar energy adoption.

At the heart of this mission is Chesco’s collaboration with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) and the SolSmart program—a partnership that is helping the county break down barriers and streamline solar energy development across its 73 municipalities.

Through its partnership with DVRPC and SolSmart, Chester County received invaluable technical assistance. Rachael Griffith, Sustainability Director at the Chester County Planning Commission, highlighted the importance of the resources provided through the SolSmart program, which included best practices from other jurisdictions, zoning ordinance guidelines, and other policy frameworks that could be adapted for specific local needs.

“We didn’t have to reinvent the wheel,” Griffith explained. “We borrowed the format for our solar landing page from the Centre Region Council of Governments, which helped streamline our efforts.” The Centre Region Council of Governments, a coalition of six local governments in central Pennsylvania, earned SolSmart Silver in 2022.

Chesco adopted a Climate Action Plan in 2021. The Climate Action Plan lays out ambitious goals, including the objective of 100% renewable electricity by 2050. Solar energy plays a key role in this plan. By making solar energy more understandable, accessible, and affordable, Chesco aims to encourage widespread participation across the county.

Overcoming Challenges in Funding Solar Adoption

One of Chesco’s main solar funding opportunities is the C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) program, which offers loans to residents and businesses for the installation of solar energy. Although the effort has been slow to garner attention, Chester County hopes more commercial property owners will take advantage of this long-term financing option as familiarity with the program grows. 

In addition to C-PACE, the county amended its long-standing Community Revitalization grant program, which is open to the Boroughs and City within the county, to make municipal solar installations an eligible project expense. 

Griffith explained two upcoming statewide programs that the county is currently or will be helping to promote: the Solarize Greater Philadelphia program and the Solar for Schools grant program. The Solarize campaign encourages household participation in group purchasing agreements to make solar installations more affordable. Meanwhile, several Chester County schools have already installed solar power on their buildings, and at least three more are looking to leverage available grant funds to explore solar energy options, creating educational opportunities while reducing energy costs.

In addition to financial barriers, there are gaps in local solar ordinances, such as in zoning and permitting. Griffith shares that the county conducted individualized outreach to municipalities offering to review and comment on their solar ordinances to ensure they align with best practices that make it easier for residents and businesses to install solar systems. Chesco is also offering grants through its Vision Partnership Program (VPP)  to municipalities to help cover the costs of ordinance updates.

“We’re focused on filling the information gaps and addressing land use barriers,” Griffith said. “By doing so, we can make solar adoption easier for everyone.”

The Solar Map: Promoting Data Transparency 

Another barrier to solar adoption that county staff have observed is misconceptions and a lack of information about solar. For example, there remains a perception that solar is not widespread throughout the county, or that solar PV is difficult to install. In response, Chesco staff have created an online solar map. 

This interactive map, developed using data from the county assessor’s office, shows the locations of solar installations across the county. The map has been well received and demonstrates just how common solar energy is becoming in Chester County: Currently, there are over 2,000 separate solar installations displayed on the map, totaling over 37,000 kW DC and 30,000 kW AC of electricity generated—enough to power roughly 13,000 homes.

“Transparency is key,” Griffith emphasized. “We want people to see how accessible solar energy is. Our GIS planners have made the data easy to understand, which helps build trust in solar energy as a viable option.”

The solar map is not just a tool for residents; it also serves as a way to promote the county’s progress in meeting its renewable energy goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% of 2005 levels by 2050. Currently, they have seen a 13% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and an increase of 31% in installed solar capacity county-wide since 2021. 

Bridging the Solar Knowledge Gap

Education is a critical component of Chester County’s solar strategy. Griffith highlights the importance of addressing the education gap, especially for low- and moderate-income households. Programs like Solarize Chester County are designed to make solar more accessible and to dispel common misconceptions about costs and benefits.

As part of their emphasis on educating the public, Chesco staff has worked with organizations like the 2nd Century Alliance, Oxford Area Community Services, and Kennett Area Community Services. These are community-based organizations that provide services like job training, food pantries, and other human services. In addition to reaching out to the communities within these organizations, they also are planning outreach at churches and putting the information in local newsletters that target communities read regularly.

“We’ll be working with community-based organizations, churches, and local newsletters to reach our target audiences,” Griffith said. “There’s a lot of misinformation out there, and we want to make sure people are getting the facts from trusted sources.”

The education initiatives involve direct engagement, presentations, and information sharing through these community channels to ensure people are getting reliable information from trusted sources, rather than relying on potentially misleading claims.

These partnerships are helping Chester County spread accurate information and promote solar energy as an affordable, sustainable option for all.

Group Procurement: A Regional Approach to Renewable Energy

In order to meet their renewable energy goals, Chester County worked with DVRPC and other suburban counties in the Philadelphia area to form a group power procurement initiative called the Sustainable Energy Partnership of Southeast PA. This collaboration allows the counties to procure renewable energy together, leveraging their collective buying power to secure better deals.

By creating a sub-account with PJM, the regional transmission organization which manages the wholesale electric grid in the region, Chester County and its partners can manage their electricity needs more effectively. Starting in 2025, the county will open the Partnership to new members such as school districts, community colleges, universities, and/or municipalities. With a bigger load, their intention is to receive a more competitive rate for all parties involved. Griffith hopes this group procurement effort will attract new members and further bolster the region’s commitment to renewable energy. 

While supply and demand issues in the renewable energy market remain a challenge, Chester County’s collaborative approach is paving the way for a more sustainable energy future.

SolSmart: Elevating Chester County’s Solar Future

The county’s initial interest in the SolSmart program stemmed from the alignment between DVRPC’s solar energy permitting checklist and Chester County’s sustainability goals. As part of the county’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, county staff sought to increase solar energy adoption while addressing key challenges in policy and infrastructure.

“Pennsylvania’s counties have limited powers,” Griffith noted. “That’s why leadership and policy guidance are critical. Our involvement with SolSmart helps us not only set the right example but also create a blueprint for municipalities across the county.”

Chester County’s involvement in the SolSmart program has been crucial in positioning the county as a leader in solar energy adoption. By taking advantage of the framework that SolSmart has provided, Chesco is not only making solar energy more accessible for residents and businesses, but also setting a powerful example for other counties across Pennsylvania and beyond. 

Any city, county, or regional organization across the U.S. can achieve SolSmart designation. To get started, contact us here, and begin your own path toward a more resilient energy future.