“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, the Shapiro Administration 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--:
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.
In the 2026-27 budget signed by Governor Josh Shapiro, the Governor secured $125 million for school infrastructure improvements, including $25 million for the Solar for Schools Grant Program.
Since taking office in 2023, the Shapiro Administration has invested a total of $24,275,947 in 82 schools across Pennsylvania through the Solar for Schools Grant Program.
Click Here for the DCED announcement.
Visit DCED’s Solar for Schools Grant Program webpage to learn more about this program.
(Photo: Carlisle School District solar energy facility.)
Related Articles This Week:
-- PA Coalition Launches Building A Brighter PA To Lower Energy Bills, Build A Clean-Energy Economy Over The Next 4 Years [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- WHYY - Susan Phillips: As Utility Rates Continue To Rise In PA, Coalition Is Pushing For Renewables To Rein In Costs
-- WHYY - Susan Phillips: As Utility Rates Continue To Rise In PA, Coalition Is Pushing For Renewables To Rein In Costs
-- WESA - Rachel McDevitt: A.I. Data Center-Driven Electricity Demand In PA, Surrounding States Outstripping Supply, Keeping Prices High
-- Utility Dive: PJM Market Monitor: Data Centers Drove $6.3 Billion In July PJM Generation Capacity Auction Costs; Over Last 4 Auctions - $29.4 Billion In Costs
-- PA Capital-Star: PA Solar For Schools Program Renewed For Third Year To Cut Energy Costs
-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh-based Exus Renewables Secures $356 Million For 2 Wind Projects In Cambria County As Demand From Data Centers Accelerates
-- Utility Dive: Natural Gas Power Generation Decreased 4% In 2025; Coal-Fired Power Plant Generation Increased 13%; Wind & Solar Generation Increased 3% and 34%
[Posted: July 23, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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