Shapiro Administration Invests More Than $1.9 Million to Help Schools Across Pennsylvania Reduce Electricity Costs and Create Jobs by Installing Solar Panels

Today's Solar for Schools funding approvals through the Commonwealth Financing Authority will help Pennsylvania schools install solar panels to lower energy costs and reduce carbon pollution - ensuring more resources go to our students and teachers.

Since its creation by Governor Josh Shapiro in 2024, the program has invested $23,150,246 in 78 schools across Pennsylvania.

The Shapiro Administration also invested over $725,000 through the Pipeline Investment Program today to improve the quality of life for Pennsylvanians and further strengthen our communities.

Harrisburg, PA - Today, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger announced a more than $1.9 million investment in five Pennsylvania schools through the Solar for Schools Grant Program to help cover the purchase and installation of solar panels including permit fees, energy storage, and utility interconnection. The program is administered by DCED and funded through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA).

The Solar for Schools program, created by Governor Josh Shapiro in 2024 to help generate more clean, affordable, and reliable energy while creating more jobs and lowering costs for Pennsylvanians, has so far invested $23,150,246 in 78 schools across the Commonwealth. Governor Shapiro is calling for another $25 million allocation in his 2026-2027 budget proposal to ensure the program continues.

"Through this innovative program, the Shapiro Administration is helping schools across Pennsylvania lower costs, create good-paying jobs, and invest more resources directly into students and teachers," said DCED Secretary Siger. "The Shapiro Administration is committed to investing in our education system and building a stronger, more competitive clean energy economy for Pennsylvania."

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.

"Through the Solar for Schools grants, we are helping schools reduce long-term energy costs so they can invest more dollars where they matter most: in students, educators, and classrooms," said Department of Education Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe. "These projects also create meaningful opportunities for students to learn about sustainability, energy consumption, and environmental stewardship through hands on experiences that deepen their understanding of how human decisions affect the natural world."

"At a time when energy usage, and the price of energy is a focus more than ever before, harnessing the sun's power through the use of solar panels is an ideal renewable energy source," said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. "The Solar for Schools program, and the associated Solar for Schools Toolkit makes it easy for schools to consider switching to solar, and walks them through the process. At the same time that going solar saves money, it also helps reduce our carbon footprint and reduce pollution, making it a smart decision economically, and for the environment."

The Pennsylvania Solar for Schools Toolkit is organized into ten basic steps, and is designed specifically for school stakeholders in Pennsylvania to determine whether a solar project makes sense for their facility.

The following Solar for Schools grants were approved today:

Elk County:

• $480,000 to the Ridgway Area School District to assist with the installation of a solar panel system that will provide an average savings of $182,923 per year.

Philadelphia County:

• $208,954 to Green Woods Charter School to assist with the installation of a solar panel system that will provide an average savings of $27,175 per year.
• $354,382 to the School District of Philadelphia to assist with the installation of a solar system at Andrew Hamiliton Elementary School, providing an average annual savings to the school district of $37,254.
• $304,269 to the School District of Philadelphia to assist with the installation of a solar system at Horace Furness High School, providing an average savings to the school district of $23,899 per year.
• $600,000 to the School District of Philadelphia to assist with the installation of a solar system at Mayfair Elementary School, providing an average annual savings to the school district of $91,400.

Pipeline Investment Program (PIPE)

In addition to today's Solar for Schools project approvals, the CFA also approved $725,411 in funding through the Pipeline Investment Program (PIPE). The program provides grants to construct the last few miles of natural gas distribution lines to business parks and existing manufacturing and industrial enterprises, which helps create new jobs and opportunity while also providing more residents access to natural gas. Applicants eligible for PIPE funding include businesses, economic development organizations, hospitals, municipalities, and school districts.

The following PIPE grant was approved:

Susquehanna County:

• $725,211 to Leatherstocking Gas Company, LLC, to extend a gas pipeline through Montrose Borough. This project will bring natural gas to 121 residential households and 10 commercial facilities including restaurants, auto repair shops, a hair salon, and several other small businesses.

The CFA was established in 2004 as an independent agency with fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania's economic growth.

Visit the Commonwealth Financing Authority's website for more information on the CFA or its programs.

For more information about the Department of Community and Economic Development, visit DCED website, and be sure to stay up-to-date with all of our agency news on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Backover, [email protected]