Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger announced the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) has approved more than $1.6 million through the Solar for Schools Grant Program to help five Pennsylvania schools purchase and install solar panels including permit fees, energy storage, and utility interconnection.
“Electricity bills are a major cost for school districts across the Commonwealth, often using significant parts of their budget,” said DCED Secretary Siger. “Through programs like Solar for Schools, Pennsylvania is supporting schools by investing in long-term solutions that save money, create jobs, and improve the educational environment for all students.”
“Solar for Schools is a win-win – it reduces costs for school districts on their energy bills, and reduces air pollution from electricity generation,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “These solar panels will generate electricity and give a visible way for students to see how the electricity that powers their school is made without air pollution.”
School districts, intermediate units, area career and technical schools, charter schools, cyber charter schools, chartered schools for the education of the deaf or blind, and community colleges were eligible to apply for the grants.
The following Solar for Schools grants were approved today:
Berks County:
- $360,000 grant to the Wyomissing Area School District for Wyomissing Area Junior Senior High School, providing an estimated average savings of $124,494 per year.
- $360,000 grant to the Wyomissing Area School District for Wyomissing Hills Elementary Center, providing an estimated average savings of $92,448 per year.
Montgomery County:
- $480,000 to the Norristown Area School District for Norristown High School, providing an estimated average savings of $56,928 per year.
- $480,000 to the Norristown Area School District for East Norristown Middle School, providing an estimated average annual savings of $58,457.
Perry County:
- $480,000 to the Newport School District for Newport High School, providing an estimated average savings of $71,010 per year.
- $480,000 to the Newport School District for Newport Elementary School, providing an estimated average annual savings of $112,418.
