The project was facilitated through the Rural Innovation through Solar Empowerment (RISE) project in partnership between nonprofits RiverWise, The PA Solar Center, and New Sun Rising to accelerate solar adoption in communities throughout Beaver County. 
The RISE Project began as a two-year initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energizing Rural Communities Prize. 
EIS Solar installed Ambridge’s 130.9-kilowatt solar system, which was paid for in part by an Environmental Mitigation Community Fund grant. 
The Borough was also able to leverage a 40 percent federal renewable energy tax credit for the project. 
The solar panels will offset approximately 100 percent of the combined annual energy consumption of the Borough facilities at 600 11th Street and 533 Merchant Street.
EIS Solar estimates that the solar array will save Ambridge taxpayers about $509,000 over the next 25 years. 
“I applaud the Borough of Ambridge for having the foresight and dedication to get ahead of rising energy costs and to save the taxpayers of Ambridge significant money,” said Rep. Rob Matzie. 
“The Borough of Ambridge is delighted to celebrate this milestone with the community and the RISE Project partners,” said Mario Leone, Jr., Ambridge Borough Manager. “We look forward to reallocating the savings from our electric bill to better serve the residents of Ambridge. We thank all of our partners for a job well done.”
“The RISE Project was designed to function as an incubator and pilot for expanding solar adoption in rural communities and developing a replicable process that can be adopted across the state and the nation,” said Daniel Rossi-Keen, Executive Director at RiverWise. “RiverWise is committed to ensuring that Beaver County is an active participant in the new energy economy, and we hope Ambridge Borough’s new solar system will encourage others to learn more about the value that local energy production can add to their lives and communities.” 
“The PA Solar Center congratulates Ambridge Borough for their leadership and vision in going solar,” said Amelia Eggan, Assistant Director of Outreach and Strategy at the PA Solar Center, whose GET Solar Program provides free-to-low-cost technical assistance and consulting to organizations pursuing solar energy projects. 
“It was an honor for our GET Solar program to help Ambridge Borough navigate the solar process – their project is a perfect example of how solar can offer municipalities and other organizations on fixed budgets more financial breathing room and flexibility,” said Eggan.
“EIS Solar was also proud to help the Borough of Ambridge flip the switch to solar energy,” said Hal Saville, Director of Commercial Projects at EIS Solar.  “It was an honor for us to work on such a notable project, and it is our hope that Ambridge will serve as an example to other municipalities in the region in making a solar transition.”
Ambridge Borough’s solar installation is the second initiative from The RISE Project to come online, the first being the interactive solar demonstration system at Neighborhood North: Museum of Play that became active this past July.
A third initiative of The RISE Project is also nearing completion–  New Brighton High School’s solar system. 
Each of the RISE Project installations were funded, in part, through the Shell Petrochemical Plant Environmental Mitigation Community Fund from penalties paid by Shell 
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.
Background
Ambridge Borough was settled in 1824 along the banks of the Ohio River as the third and final home of the Harmony Society, the Borough of Ambridge was incorporated in 1905, named after the American Bridge Company. 
The 1.7 square mile community is home to 7,100 residents, 21 churches that represent the diverse ethnic fabric of its citizenry, four public parks, the Laughlin Memorial Public Library, countless unique specialty shops including antique stores, family owned restaurants, bed and breakfasts, a hotel, a National Historic Landmark District and Old Economy Village – designated a Preserve America Community.
Neighborhood North Museum of Play is a nonprofit children’s museum based in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, that inspires curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning through the power of play. 
Serving children, families, educators, and communities across western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, and northern West Virginia, Neighborhood North integrates science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM) into engaging, hands-on learning experiences that foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
As a regional learning anchor, Neighborhood North extends its impact beyond the museum through school partnerships, field trips, community outreach, the Mobile Maker Lab, professional development for educators and teaching artists, and innovative programs that expand access to high-quality learning opportunities. 
By connecting the arts, education, and community, Neighborhood North is helping prepare the next generation of learners, innovators, and engaged citizens while strengthening the communities it serves.
RiverWise exists to organize community voice and power so that residents can exercise agency over the future of Beaver County. RiverWise accomplishes its mission in three ways. 
They produce community storytelling that disrupts the idea that Beaver County’s best days are behind it. 
They undertake project identification and management that demonstrates what a more organized and visionary future for the region looks like. And they build partnerships and secure resources to help residents of the region bring about their future vision for the region. 
Because their mission is broad and deep, and because they are the only nonprofit intermediary serving all of Beaver County, RiverWise is intentionally agnostic about the nature of the projects we are willing to tackle. 
They therefore engage in an unusually broad and varied range of projects that serve to organize community voice and power in more strategic, resilient, and sustainable ways.
The PA Solar Center is a 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. 
New Sun Rising is a nonprofit community development organization based in Millvale, PA, dedicated to supporting community leaders with the skills, funding, connections, and data to overcome the challenges of our time. 
New Sun Rising is guided by a vision of a future where all communities are vibrant places of culture, sustainability, and opportunity. 
They work with nonprofits, social enterprises, and collaboratives to build vibrant communities by strengthening capacity, making funding accessible, and embracing data-informed approaches. 
Grounded in equity, inclusion, and asset-based strategies, New Sun Rising believes that all people and communities hold the knowledge and power to make positive change, they seek to help turn that potential into lasting impact across Southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond.
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.


(Photo: Mario Leone, Jr., Ambridge Borough Manager. Rep. Rob Matzie.)
[Posted: November 5, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

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