PA Environment Digest Blog: DEP/DCED: Steelton-Highspire School District To Save $3.6 Million Over 20 Years Using Solar Energy In Dauphin County

On August 25, the departments of Environmental Protection and Community and Economic Development visited Steelton-Highspire School District’s new solar array alongside district and local officials to highlight the Shapiro Administration’s investment in clean energy to benefit schools across the Commonwealth, including an additional $25 million in the 2026-27 budget for the Solar for Schools Program.

Click Here for video and photos from the event.

Steel-High received a Solar for Schools grant in 2025 for $446,363 to install high-efficiency solar panels to reduce energy expenses and carbon emissions, while also integrating renewable energy education into the district curriculum, providing hands-on STEM learning.

Steel-High went on to install a 1.7 MW solar array in an area that was previously a dumping ground for debris from Hurricane Agnes.

The array covers 100 percent of the district’s electricity needs through a power purchase agreement, saving $3.6 million over 20 years.

In collaboration with the McClure Company, the district has implemented a series of energy efficient upgrades that have reduced the carbon footprint while creating substantial cost savings, which are reinvested into the district.

In addition, the school’s collaboration with First Student has six electric school buses that not only lower operational costs, but also provide a quieter, healthier transportation experience for students. Read more here.

“The Steelton-Highspire School District is proud to be part of the Solar for Schools initiative and to provide our students with an opportunity to see how renewable energy, sustainability, and innovation are shaping our future,” said Steelton-Highspire School District Superintendent Willie Slade.

“This partnership is about more than installing solar technology—it is about creating authentic learning experiences that connect classroom instruction to real-world careers. We want our students to understand that they can be leaders in building a cleaner, more sustainable future for their families, our community, and Pennsylvania.”

“As we look at different options that can provide electricity to schools across Pennsylvania, solar is one of the cleanest, greenest options.” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “Recipients of the Solar for Schools program, like Steelton-Highspire School District, are thinking to the future about how they can use the sun to power their buildings, save money, and decrease emissions to improve air quality for everyone.”

“The Solar for Schools program enables school districts across Pennsylvania to lower their electricity bills and invest those savings into their students,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “Solar for Schools investments like this one provide schools with reliable zero-emissions technology, support Pennsylvania jobs, and lower the electricity burden for communities and schools.”

The Solar for Schools program has so far invested $27,188,960 in 84 schools across the Commonwealth since 2024 to help generate more clean, affordable, and reliable energy while creating more jobs and lowering costs for Pennsylvanians.

Visit the Solar for Schools Program webpage and use the Pennsylvania Solar for Schools Toolkit to determine whether a solar project makes sense for their facility.

Click Here for the DEP-DCED announcement.

Click Here for video and photos from the event.

PA Oil & Gas Industry, Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - August 22 [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Air Permit For Montour CT Natural Gas Power Plant Expansion In Montour County To Feed Data Centers [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Chapter 105 Permit For Expand Operating LLC Double, 16-Inch Shale Gas Water Pipelines In Fox Twp., Sullivan County [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approved 35 Shale Gas Well Pad Water Use General Permits In July; 223 In 2026 [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 70 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In August 22 PA Bulletin [PaEN]

-- DEP Sets Sept. 15 Hearing On Blythe Recycling & Demolition [BRADS] Landfill Permit Modification Related To Leachate Hauling At Its Facility In Schuylkill County [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Chapter 105 Permit For A 250 MW Solar Energy Facility In Clearfield County [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Chapter 105 Permit For PECO Energy Double 230 kV Transmission Line Crossing Of Schuylkill River In Montgomery County To Serve Data Center Projects [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Stormwater Permit For PPL Electric Harwood To Harleigh Substation Transmission Line Project In Luzerne County [PaEN]