Meadville Solar Unveiling

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  April 16, 2026  Contact:     Gretchen Dlugolecki, Rapport Communications Mobile:      267-541-7727 Email:        gretchen@rapportcommunications.org  MEDIA ADVISORY City of Meadville to unveil new rooftop solar system installed with help from PA DEP, EIS Solar, and PA Solar Center  Mayor Kinder, Councilwoman Vogel, and DEP to host a sunny Earth Day celebration to "flip the switch" on solar energy  Meadville, PA – On Wednesday, April 22, the City of Meadville will host a sunny Earth Day celebration at 2:30 p.m. with Mayor Jaime Kinder, Councilwoman Autumn Vogel, and the northwestern regional office of the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to "flip the switch" on the brand-new solar energy system on the roof of DEP's Northwestern Regional Office building, which is owned by the City. The installation was made possible through the support of the PA Solar Center's GET Solar consulting program and DEP's Shared Energy Manager program, which assists local governments with on-the-ground support from a professional energy manager to conduct energy assessments, renewable energy feasibility studies, and other services to reduce energy costs, increase efficiency, and deploy local renewable energy projects. Wilson Engineering served as the Shared Energy Manager between DEP and Meadville to help prepare the solar bid to identify a solar developer.  The 152-kW solar energy system, installed by local developer EIS Solar, will produce about 180,000 kWh each year and cover 44 percent of the facility's energy needs.   WHO:                The Honorable Jaime Kinder, Mayor, City of Meadville         The Honorable Autumn Vogel, Councilwoman, City of Meadville         Erin Wells, Northwest Regional Director, PA Department of Environmental Protection         Leo Kowalski, Director of Transformation, PA Solar Center Hal Saville, Director of Commercial Projects, EIS Solar Peter Oven, Project Manager, Wilson Engineering Services         Local community                       WHERE:               First-floor conference room, 230 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335  WHEN:                 Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM  VISUALS:              Giant light switch, ribbon-cutting, solar panels, Sunny the PA Solar Center mascot   WHY:                   Solar energy is the fastest-growing energy in the country and is saving businesses, nonprofits, communities, and residents thousands of dollars in utility bills. Businesses that go solar are hedging against volatile electricity pricing because once the upfront equipment costs are paid, the cost of solar is free.  ABOUT THE CITY OF MEADVILLE The City of Meadville is committed to building a more sustainable and resilient future while delivering cost-effective solutions that strengthen municipal operations. Through strategic partnerships and programs like the Shared Energy Manager Program, the City continues to advance energy efficiency and clean energy initiatives that reduce long-term costs, stabilize expenses, and position Meadville as a forward-looking community for years to come. For more information, please visit www.cityofmeadville.org or www.facebook.com/cityofmeadville.  ABOUT PA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION The Department of Environmental Protection's mission is to protect Pennsylvania's air, land, and water resources and to provide for the health and safety of its residents and visitors, consistent with the rights and duties established under the Environmental Rights Amendment (Article 1, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution). We will work as partners with individuals, organizations, governments, and businesses to conserve and restore our natural resources and to address all current and future environmental challenges including climate change and environmental justice.  ABOUT THE PENNSYLVANIA SOLAR CENTER The PA Solar Center is a 501c3 nonprofit organization with the mission to expand the benefits of solar to all Pennsylvanians through full-spectrum solar consulting, which includes preliminary feasibility assessment, financial navigation, bid support, and communication strategy. The Center advises non-profit organizations, businesses, schools, faith communities, farms, and communities through their keystone GET Solar program, and also offers savvy media communications, resources, and programming to educate all solar stakeholders. In addition, the PA Solar Center advocates for robust solar policy and provides an online directory of qualified solar developers, a monthly solar webinar series, and a listing of solar events happening across the state. Learn more at www.pasolarcenter.org.    ABOUT EIS SOLUTIONS Energy Independent Solutions is trusted by hundreds of residences, businesses, farms and municipal buildings throughout Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania and beyond for Solar Power. We are a local Pittsburgh company with a track record of high-quality solar installations, solar service and the best solar field performance rating in the industry. With EIS, you will receive an in-depth solar energy education, assessment, and recommendation for a great return on your investment. We make it easy to go solar. Learn more at www.eissolar.com ###