1. Pennsylvania K-12 schools have nearly tripled the amount of solar installed in the last 10 years, growing from 14 MW to approximately 39 MW.
2. Less than 2% of Pennsylvania’s 6,000 K-12 schools produce their own solar power, showing a lot of potential for growth in solar adoption.
3. State funding programs have played a crucial role in supporting new solar projects at schools, with potential for more programs like the Solar for Schools Act to further promote solar energy use in schools.
Pennsylvania K-12 schools have significantly increased their solar capacity over the past decade, growing from 14 MW to 39 MW, according to a new report by Generation180. While only 2% of the state’s 6,000 schools harness solar power, there is great potential for growth in clean and affordable energy options. Generation180 provides technical assistance to schools interested in exploring solar energy benefits.
One success story featured in the report is the Steelton-Highspire School District, which saved $10 million in energy costs and balanced its budget by switching to solar power and making energy efficiency improvements. State funding programs have played a key role in supporting solar projects at schools, such as providing grants or low-interest loans for projects at 53 schools.
Despite past funding support, consistent state funding for solar projects in schools has been lacking. Representative Elizabeth Fiedler introduced the Solar for Schools Act in 2023 to establish a state program dedicated to funding solar installations in public school districts, career and technical schools, and community colleges. This program could generate numerous benefits for the state, including creating jobs, reducing utility bills for schools, and enhancing educational opportunities for students.
The Heinz Endowments in Pittsburgh emphasizes the current favorable environment for schools to adopt solar energy, with various incentives and support available at federal, state, and local levels. While there has been progress in solar adoption by schools statewide, certain regions like northern and western Pennsylvania have been slower to embrace this renewable energy source, although that is beginning to change. For instance, the Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center in western Pennsylvania recently became the first school in the region to power all its electricity needs with onsite solar energy, forecasting significant energy savings for participating districts.