Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger announced an investment of more than $22.6 million in 74 schools across Pennsylvania through the Solar for Schools Grant Program.
The solar program grants will help schools cover the purchase and installation of equipment, permit fees, energy storage and utility interconnection.
The program is administered by DCED and funded through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA).
Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2024-2025 enacted budget allocated $25 million for Solar for Schools grants, which can save schools hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. The Governor is calling for another $25 million allocation in his 2025-2026 budget proposal to ensure the program continues.
“Energy is one of the top expenses for schools, which is why investments in solar energy can help to maintain long-term financial stability and improve the quality of education they offer students,” said Secretary Siger in a statement. “Those savings can then be channeled into more resources for our teachers and students, and also create good-paying clean-energy jobs and job training opportunities.”
School districts, intermediate units, area career and technical schools, charter schools, cyber charter schools, chartered schools for the education of the deaf or blind, community colleges, The Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, and The Pennsylvania College of Technology were eligible to apply for the grants.
Among the 74 facilities that received grants, the Cambria Heights School District will receive $437,522 to add a rooftop solar array onto Cambria Heights Elementary School. The solar project would yield an estimated savings of $57,570 per year on utility, operations and maintenance costs.
The Steelton-Highspire School District will also receive $446,363 to install high-efficiency solar panels, which are expected to produce significant reductions in energy expenses and carbon emissions.
Additionally, the Erie County Technical School will receive $400,000 to help complete a solar project that reduces the net carbon impact of the school.