Our partnerships across Pennsylvania
At Lightsource bp, we’re excited to support and work with organizations that share our desire to create a more sustainable, resilient and equitable world for present and future generations. The benefits we’re able to bring to communities are enhanced through collaborative initiatives with our partners.
We want to be good members of the communities that are home to our solar projects by identifying key social impact partnerships and dedicating funds to philanthropic activities and charitable donations to local organizations.
As Lightsource bp advances and operates solar projects across Pennsylvania, our team members have formed relationships with some amazing organizations serving the communities where our projects are located.
Below we have highlighted some partners who are helping us achieve these goals.
Community organizations in Pennsylvania
AGAPE
AGAPE is a non-denominational, faith-based mission to serve the people of Columbia and Montour Counties. The goal is to “fill in the gaps” which currently exist between people in need, and the community services available to assist them. AGAPE partners with organizations and volunteers to make a sustainable impact and transform communities by not only assisting with the immediate crisis but, also focusing on the long-term needs of families and connecting them to the resources and programs necessary for them to establish self-sufficiency and independence.
Lightsource bp team members volunteered at AGAPE in February 2023. The team sorted and stacked pet food.
Lightsource bp team members volunteering at AGAPE
Everyone’s Playground
Everyone’s Playground is an all-inclusive, barrier free playground. It was created to accommodate children and others with special needs, disabilities, and other challenging conditions. The final phase of Everyone’s Playground is the addition of an ADA-compliant Comfort Station. This changing area and restroom facility will accommodate individuals and their caregivers with the latest personal needs and sanitary equipment, while insuring complete privacy. After two years of fundraising, the Comfort Station is finally complete, supported by a contribution from Lightsource bp.
Every consideration was given to the safety and convenience of the user in a friendly and home-like surrounding. The Comfort Station location is within steps of Everyone’s Playground, a picnic pavilion, fresh drinking water, and comfortable “Buddy Benches” snuggled among a grove of beautiful shade trees.
Three of Lightsource bp’s Cottontail Solar project sites, in Snyder and Columbia counties, are all within an hour or less drive of Everyone’s Playground.
Lightsource bp team members join Everyone’s Playground representatives at a ribbon cutting celebration for the new comfort station
Espy Fire Department, Lightstreet Community Fire Company & West Manchester Township Fire
Lightsource bp has donated to help volunteer firefighters purchase new equipment at three departments in Pennsylvania, which serve the areas near several of our Cottontail Solar projects across the state.
Walker Township Park District
Lightsource bp is supporting the installation of a new outdoor basketball court in at a Walker Township community park near the Cottontail Solar project in Juniata County, Pennsylvania.
York County Reentry Coalition
Lightsource bp is supporting the York County Reentry Coalition to connect Pennsylvania community members near our Cottontail Solar farms in the county with resources after reentry into the community after incarceration. The Coalition develops partnerships with governmental agencies, the business community, faith-based entities and service providers to help reentrants through education, treatment, and ongoing skill development.
Pennsylvania schools & universities
Penn State University
Penn State and Lightsource bp have formed an innovative partnership designed to be a national model in sustainability. As part of our partnership, Lightsource bp is providing real-world hands-on experience for PSU students through research grants, internships and classroom projects.
- To date, Lightsource bp has provided three long-term research grants to PSU students and faculty
- We sponsored a hands-on capstone design project for PSU engineering students, providing mentorship from the Lightsource bp team
- Our Communications team has partnered with a Sustainable Marketing course at PSU two times to involve students in real-world projects
- Our Business Development team led a semester-long project for students in an MBA program
- We have provided internships to at least 7 PSU students to date, one of whom has since become a full-time employee
Our VP of Marketing & Communications providing instruction to PSU marketing students
Shippensburg University
Researchers from the Shippensburg University Geography & Earth Science Department are conducting research at our Nittany 1, 2 and 3 solar farms to learn how converting farmland to solar fields affects soil properties, carbon dynamics and biodiversity. Dr. Russell Hedberg and Dr. Claire Jantz are leading the inquiry into the nexus of ecosystem services, future food production, and renewable energy needs.
Sheep graze at Nittany 1 solar, one of three Lightsource bp sites included in this study
Cambridge Springs Elementary School
Lightsource bp has made donation to a new playground at the Cambridge Springs Elementary school. Developers Nick Basile and Elise McGrath visited the school to give an educational presentation about solar energy and share the good news during May 2023 assembly. During the presentation, they presented the PTO with a surprise donation to help make a bigger, better new playground possible for the school. Afterwards, students, staff and PTO members celebrated with ice cream and goodies.
“We’re beyond thankful for their generosity and wanting to be a part of our community that we all hold dear to our hearts,” a staff member told the local media following the event.
Cambridge Elementary serves students living near Lightsource bp’s Cottontail Solar farm sites in Venango and Washington Townships, as well as the Shorebird Solar Project in Cambridge Township.
Lightsource bp solar developers join school staff and PTO members in front of the soon-to-be-updated playground at Cambridge Springs Elementary School
Cambridge Springs Boys Basketball Booster Club
Lightsource bp is supporting the purchase of new uniforms for the Cambridge Springs High School boys basketball team. The school serves students living near Lightsource bp’s Cottontail Solar farm in Venango Township, as well as the Shorebird Solar Project in Cambridge Township.
York Day Early Learning
York Day Early Learning is a nonprofit high-quality early learning center serving low-income families in the City of York. Through a donation from Lightsource bp, York Day was able to refresh their facility with new paint throughout the building. This facelift brought significant life back to the building which is used by over one hundred children and families each day.