Transitioning to cleaner and more efficient energy doesn't happen on its own. Government investment can often be a much-needed catalyst for investment.

Recently, Philadelphia touted the success of its own 10-year effort. Launched in 2016, the Philadelphia Energy Campaign was a strategic initiative of the local energy authority and the city council.

According to a 10-year impact study commissioned by the city as the campaign comes to a close, the efforts have been successful and had multiple benefits that exceeded the original targets.

The Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) reports $1.3 billion invested in infrastructure projects and workforce development, which exceeds the original goal of $1 billion.

Additionally, PEA reports the creation of 11,415 jobs in the city and 12,855 jobs created throughout Pennsylvania. Both numbers surpassed the original target of 10,000 jobs.

Investments during the campaign aided the city in three ways: through capital upgrades, housing improvements and workforce development training. Investments improved Philadelphia's energy infrastructure through solar panel installations, LED streetlight conversions, residential retrofits and commercial energy efficiency upgrades.

Additionally, funding supported programs to prepare young men and women to enter an evolving workforce. One such program is Bright Solar Futures (BSF), which is a paid, 8-week immersive training program serving both high school students and adult residents seeking careers in the solar energy field.

Many of the beneficiaries of the campaign have been low-income households. PEA reports that more than half of the 4,300 households that received solar panels were low-income. The Built to Last program provided repairs and energy efficiency upgrades to more than 400 low-income households, saving them $300 to $1,000 per year.