Sigma, Scale and Black Bear energize 2.8 MW solar project in Pennsylvania

Sigma Renewables, Scale Microgrids and Black Bear Energy have brought a 2.8 MWdc rooftop solar project online at LBA Logistics’ Covington Township facility in Pennsylvania. The project adds local generation under the state’s Virtual Net Metering program and reflects growing interest in faster-to-market distributed solar as power demand and capacity costs rise.

Why it matters: - The 2.8 MWdc project adds new local generation in Pennsylvania at a time of rising demand and higher capacity costs. - The rooftop solar array is expected to produce about 3.5 million kilowatt-hours a year. - Projects like this can help reduce pressure on the grid by bringing capacity online faster than many traditional generation projects. - The project also expands LBA Logistics’ onsite solar footprint and supports the growth of distributed energy in the state.

What happened: - Sigma Renewables, Scale Microgrids and Black Bear Energy announced the energization of a new rooftop solar project at LBA Logistics’ 120 First Avenue facility in Covington Township, Pennsylvania. - The project began operating in May 2026. - The system was developed under Pennsylvania’s Virtual Net Metering program. - LBA hosted the project at its logistics facility.

The details: - Sigma Renewables designed and developed the project. - Scale Microgrids serves as the long-term owner and operator. - Black Bear Energy acted as the owner’s representative. - The project reached full operation in less than two years after the initial contract was signed. - The timeline reflected the speed of the site selection, partner coordination, utility interconnection studies and project management. - LBA’s onsite solar portfolio now totals 39 MW across 18 assets in seven U.S. markets. - The project is expected to support participating offtakers and add to Pennsylvania’s distributed energy market. - Michelle German, vice president of portfolio operations and sustainability at LBA, said hosting projects like this can add local generation capacity, create value for communities and strengthen the regional grid. - Zach Friedman, co-founder and partner at Sigma Renewables, said the project reflects the company’s commitment to delivering rooftop solar with trusted partners. - Victoria Stulgis, president of Black Bear Energy, said the project shows how quickly new capacity can come online when the right team and process are aligned. - Kristel Watson, head of Scale’s commercial and industrial business, said commercial real estate owners have an opportunity to improve energy affordability and reliability for tenants and the grid. - Recent Aurora Energy Research findings cited in the release pointed to nearly $1 billion in potential electricity-cost savings for Pennsylvania residents over the next decade from mid-sized distributed solar.

Between the lines: - The announcement is also a signal that Pennsylvania’s distributed solar market is maturing enough to support larger, repeatable rooftop deals. - The emphasis on speed to market suggests project developers and host sites are trying to capture value before power and capacity prices shift further. - The project’s mix of institutional property ownership, long-term third-party operation and owner representation shows how commercial real estate is becoming a more active platform for clean energy deployment.

What's next: - Scale Microgrids will continue operating the system as part of its long-term portfolio. - LBA may keep expanding its onsite power projects, based on the company’s existing solar portfolio and its partnership with Scale. - The project adds another reference point for Pennsylvania hosts considering rooftop solar under the Virtual Net Metering program. - More mid-sized distributed solar projects could follow if developers can keep interconnection and execution timelines short.

The bottom line: - The project shows how commercial rooftops can deliver fast, local solar capacity while giving property owners and grid operators a lower-friction path to new generation.