Fiedler celebrates first-ever Solar for Schools grant recipients; $22.6 million awarded
Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus May 21, 2025 | 8:39 AM
HARRISBURG, May 20 – Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Financing Authority today announced that 74 schools across Pennsylvania will receive a total more than $22.6 million for solar installations through the Solar for Schools grant program. State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., who introduced the Solar for Schools bill in 2024, applauded the announcement.
“I am so happy for each of these schools and excited to see names from nearly every corner of the state,” said Fiedler, who is also chair of the state House Energy Committee. “I’ve heard from rural schools who plan to include their solar panels in agricultural education and from city schools that are thinking strategically about rooftop solar with limited space. I have no doubt that the recipients will benefit from the program’s flexibility to meet their school’s needs and to make the most of their strengths."
Solar for Schools was designed as a creative way to address the school funding crisis, rising utility costs, and climate change at once. It is estimated that solar installations can save school districts millions of dollars over the life of one project. As such, the program has gained support across geographic and party lines. It was one of very few bills to pass through the divided legislature last session with broad, bipartisan support.
"The Solar for Schools program is a smart investment in both our classrooms and our energy future,” State Sen. Lynda Culver, R-Columbia/Luzerne/Montour/Northumberland/Snyder, said. “Giving schools the tools to reduce long-term utility costs allows more funding to stay where it belongs -- in support of students and teachers. I'm pleased to see this bipartisan initiative come to fruition with today’s funding announcements, and I’m especially pleased that three of the inaugural grants were awarded in the 27th District.”
“As energy costs rise, diversifying our energy sources is more important than ever. Increased energy usage throughout the country also puts us at a higher risk because of the inadequate power grid,” State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Beaver/Washington/Greene said. “Schools that use solar panels will counteract that problem by improving Pennsylvania’s energy security and lowering costs – saving millions of dollars of taxpayer money.”
As a program that promises to reduce costs for schools while accelerating new construction of solar projects, Solar for Schools has received support from labor unions, education advocates, industry leaders, and environmentalist groups.
“These new projects through Solar for Schools will open up doors for workers across the state,” said Robert S. Bair, president of the Pennsylvania Building Trades Council. “Energy jobs are crucial in Pennsylvania. Labor needs to be on the forefront of growing industries like solar.”
"We are pleased that the Solar for Schools program is going to be lowering costs for taxpayers across Pennsylvania even as it creates union jobs and provides clean energy produced right here in our commonwealth," said Katie Blume, political and legislative director of Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania. "As budget negotiations continue, it's important that the legislature prioritizes continued support in this program, which enjoys strong bipartisan support."
According to the Department of Community and Economic Development, 88 applications were received requesting a total of $88,087,001, more than three times the $25 million appropriation.
Each recipient received up to $500,000 that will aid in the startup costs of installing solar panels, including the purchase and installation of equipment, permit fees, energy storage, and utility interconnection.
“Pennsylvania has emerged as a clean energy leader and is now a Top 10 state for solar adoption by K-12 schools,” said Shannon Crooker, the Pennsylvania director of Generation180, which recently published a 2025 study on the growth of solar in Pennsylvania. “The Solar for Schools grant program solidifies our energy leadership and empowers more schools to generate their own energy and start saving money now.”
For the upcoming second year of the program, Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed another $25 million appropriation for Solar for Schools in his February budget address. With the overwhelming showing of interest in its pilot year, Fiedler and other Solar for Schools advocates are hopeful this appropriation is approved this budget season.
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