Local officials and residents, including Sen. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin), Rep. Dave Madsen (D-Dauphin), Steelton Manager Kathy McCool, and Highspire Mayor Von Hess, joined leaders from Steelton-Highspire School District, the nonprofit environmental group PennEnvironment, McClure Company, and First Student for an informative tour of the school district’s innovative solar project and electric bus fleet.
The tour was followed by a solar happy hour at Tröegs Independent Brewing, where Rep. Nate Davidson (D-Dauphin) joined residents to hear about the brewery’s switch to solar.
These events were held to educate local residents about the benefits of solar energy and electric vehicles.
“There’s never been a better time for schools and small businesses to use the power of the sun to electrify their buildings and power their vehicles,” said Hanna Felber, organizer for PennEnvironment. “Plentiful sunshine and generous solar incentives are here. Now more schools, businesses and residents in Pennsylvania just need to take advantage of them.”
In 2011, Tröegs Independent Brewing worked with Solar Renewable Energy to install a rooftop solar array large enough to produce 15-20 percent of its annual electricity usage.
The 1,628 panels, partnered with a new white roof membrane and added insulation, make the brewery more energy efficient while saving on their electricity bills.
A decade later In 2021, Steelton-Highspire School District worked with McClure Company to install a solar array large enough to offset 100 percent of its annual electricity usage.
This is not only saving the school district money on its utility bills, but the array also eliminates tons of carbon emissions annually.
Additionally, the district received six electric school buses and chargers through the EPA’s Clean School Bus Rebate Program.
These buses mean cleaner air and healthier outcomes for Steelton-Highspire families and neighbors.
With the buses being powered by electricity from the sun, the school is no longer paying for fuel, and putting each dollar saved into programming for the district.
“Faced with long-standing budget deficits, in 2021, the district pursued solar energy to offset utility costs,” said Steelton-Highspire School District Superintendent Dr. Mick Iskric, Jr. “The project is unique, repurposing an old landfill into a solar field, directly reducing the district’s largest energy expenditure. Real-time energy production and savings data are displayed in each school, integrating sustainability into the educational experience.”
Steelton-Highspire School District was able to go solar with the support of federal clean energy incentives that reduced the cost of the installation and will deliver significant savings to the school district.
“The solar array at Steelton Highspire is a prime example of how McClure Company partners with school districts to deliver value-driven building solutions that incorporate the use of renewable energy to offset cost,” said McClure Company representative Matt Custer. “This creative energy solution on unbuildable land behind the school not only generates enough power to meet the district’s demands, but it also enables them to be able to reinvest the savings into additional capital improvement projects to provide the best learning environment for tomorrow’s leaders.”
Solar energy is abundant, efficient and increasingly affordable, and schools and businesses are often great candidates for rooftop solar panels.
Harnessing more energy from the sun would mean cleaner air, a more stable climate, less strain on natural resources, and an energy source we can depend on to be virtually pollution-free for as long as we can imagine.
Plus, going solar increases energy independence and reliability and allows schools and businesses to save significantly on their utility bills.
“Steelton, PA, with its rich industrial history, is now embracing a cleaner, greener future," stated Kathy McCool, Steelton Manager. “Solar energy is a key part of this transformation. By harnessing the power of the sun, we can significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, which have long been a staple of our energy production. This shift not only helps to lower greenhouse gas emissions but also improves air quality, making Steelton a healthier place to live.”
Right now, Pennsylvania is currently ranked 26th in the nation for solar power.
Steelton-Highspire School District and Tröegs Independent Brewing hope that their clean energy upgrades can inspire other schools and businesses across Pennsylvania to follow their lead, choose renewable energy, and help Pennsylvania become a cleaner and greener place to live.
“We are very proud of our school district for implementing the solar power initiative,” emphasized Highspire Mayor Von Hess, “a very innovative and exciting cost cutting program, which will benefit the boroughs of Highspire and Steelton well into the future as well as helping the environment.”
PennEnvironment is holding events like this throughout the state to help spread the word about the benefits of going solar and switching to electric vehicles so that more schools, businesses, houses of worship, nonprofits, and individuals can invest in a clean energy future too.
Resource Links:
-- How your house of worship can go solar: New federal tax credits are helping churches, synagogues, temples, and other houses of worship go green with solar energy.
-- Clean Energy Home Toolkit: Guides & resources for weatherizing your home, cutting energy bills, buying an electric car, and information on financial incentives
Related Article:
-- Gov. Shapiro Launches Legislative Push for 'Lightning Plan’ To Build More Energy Projects, Speed Up Permitting, Lower Costs, Create Jobs For Pennsylvanians [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Post-Gazette - Ford Turner: Gov. Shapiro Calls For PA Lawmakers To Act On His Energy Proposals
-- York Dispatch: Gov. Shapiro Touts Plan To Expand Energy Markets In PA While York County Seeks Balance
-- The Center Square: Watch: Former DEP Leader Stumps For Shapiro Energy Plan
-- Penn State Extension Energy Essentials News: Solar Energy Credits In PA; Anaerobic Digestion; Learning Opportunities
-- The Hill: Farmers Sue USDA Over President’s Freeze Of Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency Funding [They Already Made Purchases]
-- Utility Dive: Federal Inflation Reduction Act Funding Freeze Has Put ‘Many’ Clean Energy Projects On Pause
-- EPA Terminates $20 Billion In National Clean Investment Fund And Clean Communities Investment Accelerator Grants [National Clean Fund + Clean Communities Hubs]
[Posted: March 15, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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