Pennsylvania Solar Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WE PROVIDE TRUSTED GUIDANCE TO USHER ALL PENNSYLVANIANS INTO THE CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY TO REACH A SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT TOMORROW.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $811,532
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 7.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 88%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 80
- Highest pay
- $114,306, executive di
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 144% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $600,265 spent. TRANSFORM: BY JULY 1, 2025, THE ORGANIZATION INCREASED THE GET SOLAR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STAFF FROM THREE TO SIX FULL-TIME PEOPLE. THE QUEUE OF PROJECTS GREW TO NEARLY 400 INTERESTED ENTITIES SEEKING ASSISTANCE, WHICH INCLUDE MUNICIPALITIES, SCHOOLS, NONPROFITS, AND BUSINESSES. TO DATE, THE PA SOLAR CENTER HAS FACILITATED THE INSTALLATION (OR NEARLY COMPLETED INSTALLATION) OF 20 PROJECTS WITH A TOTAL OF MORE THAN 9 MW OF SOLAR WITH MOST OF THAT OCCURRING DURING THE GRANT PERIOD. THE ESTIMATED SAVINGS DURING A 25-YEAR PERIOD IS MORE THAN 21 MILLION (AND AFTER PAYING FOR CAPITAL AND CONSTRUCTION COSTS) FOR THOSE ORGANIZATIONS. THOSE PROJECTS LEVERAGED AN UPFRONT INVESTMENT OF ALMOST 16 MILLION AND ARE PREDICTED TO AVOID A TOTAL OF 9,193 METRIC TONS OF CO2E OVER 25 YEARS. THE ORGANIZATION INCREASED THE NUMBER OF QUALIFIED SOLAR DEVELOPERS IN ITS NETWORK TO 50 COMPANIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO MAKE QUALIFIED BIDS, AND INCREASED PARTNERSHIPS WITH ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE STATE TO EXPAND OUTREACH CAPABILITIES. THE GET SOLAR TEAM SHEPHERDED A UNIQUE BIDDING PROCESS ON BEHALF OF 12 MUNICIPALITIES AND A WATER AUTHORITY FOR 46 POTENTIAL SOLAR PROJECTS. THE GET SOLAR SWPA WAS STARTED IN SPRING 2025 TO EXPAND OUTREACH TO THE 10-COUNTY REGION OF WESTERN PA. THIS EFFORT IS SUPPORTED BY THE FOLLOWING PARTNERS: SOUTHWESTERN PA COMMISSION, PA SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS NETWORK, SUSTAINABLE PITTSBURGH, CONNECT, RIVERWISE, AND SWPA MUNICIPAL PROJECT HUB. GET SOLAR WESTMORELAND IS NOW HOUSED IN THE BROADER INITIATIVE THAT AIMS TO ATTRACT ENTITIES INTO THE GET SOLAR PROGRAM ACROSS THE REGION. IN ADDITION, THE PA SOLAR CENTER ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT AS A GRANT SUB- AWARDEE WITH THE PHILADELPHIA ENERGY AUTHORITY TO BRING PA SOLAR'S GET SOLAR PROGRAM TO THE FIVE-COUNTY REGION OF PENNSYLVANIA TO ASSIST COMMERCIAL ENTITIES TO GO SOLAR THROUGH PEA'S SOLARIZE GREATER PHILADELPHIA INITIATIVE. INCREASED ACTIVITY WAS SPAWNED BY THE PASSAGE OF THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT IN 2023, WHICH INCREASED INCENTIVES FOR SOLAR ENERGY AS WELL AS THE CENTER'S OUTREACH EFFORTS AND GROWING PARTNERSHIPS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. PA SOLARCORPS, THE ORGANIZATION'S VOLUNTEER INITIATIVE TO MAP THE SOLAR POTENTIAL OF LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES, MAPPED A TOTAL OF 1,048 PROPERTIES IN 68 COMMUNITIES IN WESTERN PA. IN WESTMORELAND AND ALLEGHENY, OUR TEAM MAPPED LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES AND MAILED RESULTS OF ESTIMATED SOLAR POTENTIAL DIRECTLY TO 281 PROPERTIES IN WESTMORELAND COUNTY AS WELL AS 151 INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES IN WESTMORELAND AND ALLEGHENY AND 53 SCHOOLS IN PENNSYLVANIA. IN SOUTHEAST PA, THE PA SOLARCORPS MAPPED THE SOLAR POTENTIAL OF 375 PROPERTIES IN 13 LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES IN THE FOUR COUNTIES SURROUNDING PHILADELPHIA TRANSFORM: BY JULY 1, 2025, THE ORGANIZATION INCREASED THE GET SOLAR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STAFF FROM THREE TO SIX FULL-TIME PEOPLE. THE QUEUE OF PROJECTS GREW TO NEARLY 400 INTERESTED ENTITIES SEEKING ASSISTANCE, WHICH INCLUDE MUNICIPALITIES, SCHOOLS, NONPROFITS, AND BUSINESSES. TO DATE, THE PA SOLAR CENTER HAS FACILITATED THE INSTALLATION (OR NEARLY COMPLETED INSTALLATION) OF 20 PROJECTS WITH A TOTAL OF MORE THAN 9 MW OF SOLAR WITH MOST OF THAT OCCURRING DURING THE GRANT PERIOD. THE ESTIMATED SAVINGS DURING A 25-YEAR PERIOD IS MORE THAN 21 MILLION (AND AFTER PAYING FOR CAPITAL AND CONSTRUCTION COSTS) FOR THOSE ORGANIZATIONS. THOSE PROJECTS LEVERAGED AN UPFRONT INVESTMENT OF ALMOST 16 MILLION AND ARE PREDICTED TO AVOID A TOTAL OF 9,193 METRIC TONS OF CO2E OVER 25 YEARS. THE ORGANIZATION INCREASED THE NUMBER OF QUALIFIED SOLAR DEVELOPERS IN ITS NETWORK TO 50 COMPANIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO MAKE QUALIFIED BIDS, AND INCREASED PARTNERSHIPS WITH ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE STATE TO EXPAND OUTREACH CAPABILITIES. THE GET SOLAR TEAM SHEPHERDED A UNIQUE BIDDING PROCESS ON BEHALF OF 12 MUNICIPALITIES AND A WATER AUTHORITY FOR 46 POTENTIAL SOLAR PROJECTS. THE GET SOLAR SWPA WAS STARTED IN SPRING 2025 TO EXPAND OUTREACH TO THE 10-COUNTY REGION OF WESTERN PA. THIS EFFORT IS SUPPORTED BY THE FOLLOWING PARTNERS: SOUTHWESTERN PA COMMISSION, PA SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS NETWORK, SUSTAINABLE PITTSBURGH, CONNECT, RIVERWISE, AND SWPA MUNICIPAL PROJECT HUB. GET SOLAR WESTMORELAND IS NOW HOUSED IN THE BROADER INITIATIVE THAT AIMS TO ATTRACT ENTITIES INTO THE GET SOLAR PROGRAM ACROSS THE REGION. IN ADDITION, THE PA SOLAR CENTER ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT AS A GRANT SUB- AWARDEE WITH THE PHILADELPHIA ENERGY AUTHORITY TO BRING PA SOLAR'S GET SOLAR PROGRAM TO THE FIVE-COUNTY REGION OF PENNSYLVANIA TO ASSIST COMMERCIAL ENTITIES TO GO SOLAR THROUGH PEA'S SOLARIZE GREATER PHILADELPHIA INITIATIVE. INCREASED ACTIVITY WAS SPAWNED BY THE PASSAGE OF THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT IN 2023, WHICH INCREASED INCENTIVES FOR SOLAR ENERGY AS WELL AS THE CENTER'S OUTREACH EFFORTS AND GROWING PARTNERSHIPS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. PA SOLARCORPS, THE ORGANIZATION'S VOLUNTEER INITIATIVE TO MAP THE SOLAR POTENTIAL OF LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES, MAPPED A TOTAL OF 1,048 PROPERTIES IN 68 COMMUNITIES IN WESTERN PA. IN WESTMORELAND AND ALLEGHENY, OUR TEAM MAPPED LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES AND MAILED RESULTS OF ESTIMATED SOLAR POTENTIAL DIRECTLY TO 281 PROPERTIES IN WESTMORELAND COUNTY AS WELL AS 151 INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES IN WESTMORELAND AND ALLEGHENY AND 53 SCHOOLS IN PENNSYLVANIA. IN SOUTHEAST PA, THE PA SOLARCORPS MAPPED THE SOLAR POTENTIAL OF 375 PROPERTIES IN 13 LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES IN THE FOUR COUNTIES SURROUNDING PHILADELPHIA
- $17,250 spent. EDUCATE: THE PENNSYLVANIA SOLAR CENTER WORKS TO EXPAND THE PUBLIC'S KNOWLEDGE AND ACCESSIBILITY OF THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR ENERGY. THE TEAM CONTINUED ITS WATTS & LEARN WEBINAR SERIES, BRINGING SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS TO TALK ABOUT IMPORTANT SOLAR TOPICS, WHICH ATTRACTS ABOUT INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS, LEGISLATORS, MEDIA, AND SOLAR ADVOCATES. THE ORGANIZATION INCREASED ITS SOCIAL MEDIA AND EARNED MEDIA PRESENCE ACROSS THE STATE, WHICH RESULTED MORE THAN 100 MEDIA MENTIONS EITHER FROM EARNED MEDIA STORIES OR THE CENTER AND FROM PRESS RELEASES, OP-ED PIECES, RADIO AND TELEVISION MENTIONS, AND MEDIA INTERVIEWS, REGARDING THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR, ELECTRICITY PRICING INCREASES, AND SOLAR POLICY. THE CENTER HELD ONE VIRTUAL LODESTAR AWARD CEREMONIES TO HONOR ENTITIES THAT HAVE GONE SOLAR ACROSS THE STATE. IN ADDITION, THE PA SOLAR CENTER HELD TWO IN-PERSON SOIREE FUNDRAISER EVENTS THAT INCLUDED LODESTAR AWARD CEREMONIES IN PITTSBURGH AND IN PHILADELPHIA. EDUCATE: THE PENNSYLVANIA SOLAR CENTER WORKS TO EXPAND THE PUBLIC'S KNOWLEDGE AND ACCESSIBILITY OF THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR ENERGY. THE TEAM CONTINUED ITS WATTS & LEARN WEBINAR SERIES, BRINGING SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS TO TALK ABOUT IMPORTANT SOLAR TOPICS, WHICH ATTRACTS ABOUT INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS, LEGISLATORS, MEDIA, AND SOLAR ADVOCATES. THE ORGANIZATION INCREASED ITS SOCIAL MEDIA AND EARNED MEDIA PRESENCE ACROSS THE STATE, WHICH RESULTED MORE THAN 100 MEDIA MENTIONS EITHER FROM EARNED MEDIA STORIES OR THE CENTER AND FROM PRESS RELEASES, OP-ED PIECES, RADIO AND TELEVISION MENTIONS, AND MEDIA INTERVIEWS, REGARDING THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR, ELECTRICITY PRICING INCREASES, AND SOLAR POLICY. THE CENTER HELD ONE VIRTUAL LODESTAR AWARD CEREMONIES TO HONOR ENTITIES THAT HAVE GONE SOLAR ACROSS THE STATE. IN ADDITION, THE PA SOLAR CENTER HELD TWO IN-PERSON SOIREE FUNDRAISER EVENTS THAT INCLUDED LODESTAR AWARD CEREMONIES IN PITTSBURGH AND IN PHILADELPHIA.
- $17,887 spent. ADVOCATE: THE PENNSYLVANIA SOLAR CENTER WORKS TO EXPAND EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY FOR ROBUST SOLAR POLICIES. THE TEAM FINALIZED A GUIDEBOOK FOR PERMITTING OF LARGE-SCALE SOLAR PROJECTS FOR MUNICIPALITIES. THE TEAM MET WITH LEGISLATORS TO INFORM THEM ON THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR AND TO ENCOURAGE THE EXPANSION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY IN THE STATE AND TO SUPPORT ENABLING OF COMMUNITY SOLAR. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CONTINUED TO CO-LEAD A COALITION OF MORE THAN 80 RENEWABLE ENERGY COMPANIES TO KEEP THEM INFORMED OF DEVELOPING REGULATORY AND POLICY ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE AS WELL AS A COALITION OF NGOS WORKING IN PENNSYLVANIA TO EXPAND SOLAR POLICY, PARTICULARLY AS A TOOL TO REDUCE ELECTRICITY PRICES AND CREATE GRID RESILIENCY. THE CENTER MAINTAINS A LEGISLATIVE GUIDE OF ALL SOLAR LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN THE PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY. THE PA CENTER CO-HOSTED THE 10TH ANNUAL RENEWABLES SUMMIT THAT CONVENES RENEWABLE INDUSTRY LEADERS TO DISCUSS POLICY AND REGULATION. ADVOCATE: THE PENNSYLVANIA SOLAR CENTER WORKS TO EXPAND EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY FOR ROBUST SOLAR POLICIES. THE TEAM FINALIZED A GUIDEBOOK FOR PERMITTING OF LARGE-SCALE SOLAR PROJECTS FOR MUNICIPALITIES. THE TEAM MET WITH LEGISLATORS TO INFORM THEM ON THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR AND TO ENCOURAGE THE EXPANSION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY IN THE STATE AND TO SUPPORT ENABLING OF COMMUNITY SOLAR. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CONTINUED TO CO-LEAD A COALITION OF MORE THAN 80 RENEWABLE ENERGY COMPANIES TO KEEP THEM INFORMED OF DEVELOPING REGULATORY AND POLICY ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE AS WELL AS A COALITION OF NGOS WORKING IN PENNSYLVANIA TO EXPAND SOLAR POLICY, PARTICULARLY AS A TOOL TO REDUCE ELECTRICITY PRICES AND CREATE GRID RESILIENCY. THE CENTER MAINTAINS A LEGISLATIVE GUIDE OF ALL SOLAR LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN THE PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY. THE PA CENTER CO-HOSTED THE 10TH ANNUAL RENEWABLES SUMMIT THAT CONVENES RENEWABLE INDUSTRY LEADERS TO DISCUSS POLICY AND REGULATION.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2022.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.