The report authors found that using solar energy in schools across Pennsylvania could produce as much electricity as is needed to power 187,000 homes each year, reduce climate-warming carbon dioxide pollution equal to taking nearly 300,000 cars off the road
Locally, the report estimated that Dauphin County schools could save over $15 million over the lifetime of the solar panels, producing enough energy to power over 4,600 homes annually.
Cumberland County schools could save over $11 million over the lifetime of the solar panels by maximizing their installation of rooftop solar, while producing enough energy to power almost 3,200 homes every year
The PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center also released an interactive map so that Pennsylvanians can see the solar potential for school buildings in their counties.
This also helps identify new sources of clean, reliable energy at a time when many local and state officials have recently expressed alarm about increased electricity prices and strains on the electrical grid due to the expansion of A.I., data centers and other major energy users.
“Repowering Pennsylvania’s schools with solar energy can pay dividends for local taxpayers, our health and our planet,” noted Stephanie Wein, an advocate at the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center. “There’s never been a better time for schools to ‘go solar.’”
Mac Giles, a solar project developer with Harrisburg-based McClure Company, elaborated “With electricity prices becoming increasingly unpredictable while growing demand from commercial businesses, and data centers putting additional strain on our country’s electrical grid, renewable energy solutions are necessary for achieving long-term energy security and independence”
Schools are often ideal locations for solar energy systems. They usually have big spaces suitable for panels, including flat, unshaded rooftops and parking lots with room for solar canopies; and nearby open spaces such as fields.
Because schools can house large solar energy systems, economies of scale can reduce installation costs.
"Powering our schools with solar is a direct pathway to cleaner air, lower energy bills, stronger local economies and a more resilient energy system,” said Elowyn Corby, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director for Vote Solar. “Helping schools go solar is an investment in what we value most: our children, our communities, and our shared future.”
Solar energy makes economic sense for school districts, especially in an era of rising, - and volatile - electricity prices.
U.S. schools spend around $8 billion on energy costs annually, their second-largest cost after teacher salaries.
Solar energy systems are increasingly affordable and can protect school budgets from price spikes.
The Steelton-Highspire school district near Harrisburg, for example, expects to save approximately $4 million on energy over next two decades from its solar array.
Steelton-Highspire Assistant Superintendent Willie Slade said of their solar project, “At Steelton-Highspire School District, we’re proud to harness the power of the sun to brighten our classrooms, reduce our environmental footprint, and invest savings back into student learning. Our commitment to solar energy reflects our dedication to innovation, sustainability, and a stronger future for our community.”
To make it as easy as possible for schools to “go solar” in Pennsylvania, the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center recommends that local, state and federal officials take commonsense steps, including renewing and expanding the state’s Solar for Schools grant program, restoring federal solar incentives that Congress recently repealed, and implementing parts of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s statewide energy plan.
“The Solar for Schools program is a powerful testament to how clean energy investments can align smart budgeting with environmental stewardship in our schools,” said Rep. David Madsen (D-Dauphin). “As districts across Pennsylvania install more solar panels, they’re slashing energy costs and channeling those savings back into classroom resources, student programs, and community partnerships.”
“Our schools are places where our children go to learn, play, achieve and succeed,” remarked Wein. “Now they can also be places that help reduce air and climate pollution, save taxpayers money, and lead the way with clean, homegrown energy.”
Click Here for a copy of the report.
(Photo: Cristo Rey High School installed a 219 kW solar array on the rooftop of its building in Philadelphia.
Related Articles This Week:
-- PUC Chairman: Model Tariff For Connecting A.I. Data Centers To Local Electric Grid To Be Published For Comment By End Of September [PaEN]
-- Southwest PA Environmental Advocates Urge Bigger Voice For Renewable Energy At A.I. Horizons Summit In Pittsburgh On Sept. 11 [PaEN]
-- Water At Risk: What Is Your Township's Plan For A.I. Data Centers? Sept. 15 Hearing In Tobyhanna Twp., Monroe County - By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association [PaEN]
-- Protecting Clean Water Together: Electric Bills Increased 10-20% Since June - Community Solar Could Be A Solution - By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association [PaEN]
-- PUC Commissioners Urge PA Congressional Delegation To Support Low-Income Energy Assistance - LIHEAP [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Pittsburgh Business Times: A.I. Horizons Summit Sept. 11-12 With Tech And Energy Execs, Political Heavyweights [PDF of Article]
-- Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh’s Labor Leaders Say They’re Ready For US Steel, A.I. Data Center Investments, Will The Money Come Through?
-- Scranton Times: State Lawmakers Hear Potential Impacts Of A.I. Data Centers At Scranton Hearing
-- WNEP: State Lawmakers Held Roundtable Discussion On Proposed A.I. Data Centers In Scranton
-- York Dispatch: Is A.I. Data Center Demand Too Much For A Delicate Electricity Grid In PA? York County Is A Fertile Area For Data Center Development [PDF of Article]
-- PA Capital-Star/Public Source: A.I. Data Center Growth Raises Pittsburgh-Area Hopes, But Community Benefits Aren’t Guaranteed
-- WITF: PA Lawmakers Look Underground For Geothermal Alternative To Cool A.I. Data Centers
-- Inquirer: Why This PA-Based Builder Is Shifting To A.I. Data Centers
-- The Center Square: A.I. Ethics: Bridging The Gap Between Public Concern And Global Pursuit
-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Democratic PA House Members Propose Reduction In Nuclear Reactor Fees Paid To DEP To Support Radiation Monitoring, Inspections, Oversight Based On Reactor Size [PDF of Article]
-- Utility Dive: DOE: PJM Faces Possible Long-Term ‘Energy Emergency;’ Consumer Advocates Say A ‘Concern’ Is Not An ‘Emergency’
[Posted: September 3, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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