Legislators, school leaders celebrate Solar for Schools grants in bipartisan event; call for renewed funding
Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus June 25, 2025 | 3:28 PM
HARRISBURG, June 25 – Today, lawmakers from both chambers and both parties in the PA General Assembly joined school leaders from across the commonwealth to celebrate the recipients of Solar for Schools grants. The awards were announced earlier this year after the program’s first-ever round of applications.
Introduced by state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila, and passed into law in 2024, Solar for Schools provides schools with funding to install solar arrays. By generating their own electricity, these investments can save school districts millions of dollars over the life of one project, as well as generate new renewable energy at a time when energy demand is increasing statewide. Currently, electricity bills are the second-highest cost for schools in Pennsylvania as energy prices are expected to rise.
“This is a transformational bill that helps us solve many problems at once: improve school funding, create jobs, add renewable energy to the grid, and make the air cleaner for our kids.” Fiedler said. “We’re just in the first year of Solar for Schools, so these 73 schools are paving the way for what’s possible in Pennsylvania. I am so excited to see how this program will impact schools for years to come.”
“I am thrilled about the overwhelming response from schools across the state interested in participating in the Solar for Schools program," state Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Beaver/Greene/Washington, said. "As the demand for energy increases, we need to diversify our energy sources, and this is an opportunity to save school districts and taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars."
“The Solar for Schools initiative is a shining example of how forward-thinking energy solutions can drive both fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability in our educational institutions,” said state Rep. Dave Madsen, D-Dauphin. “By embracing renewable energy, school districts throughout Pennsylvania are not only reducing their operating costs but also investing in a future where every dollar saved can be reinvested in education and community growth.”
In May, the recipients of Solar for Schools were announced, with 73 schools receiving a total of $22.5 million. School leaders present at Wednesday’s event represented the Bloomsburg Area, Carlisle Area, Steelton-Highspire, and Central Cambria school districts, which were all recipients.
“The Solar for Schools program is more than just an investment in infrastructure — it’s a commitment to equity, sustainability, and student opportunity,” said Dr. Mick Iskric, superintendent of Steelton-Highspire School District, which currently powers 100% of its school buildings with solar energy. “Thanks to this grant and the partnerships we've built, we're not only expanding our clean energy capacity, but also reinvesting savings directly into classrooms and our community’s future."
“This grant empowers public school districts to take bold steps toward environmental stewardship while being prudent with their budgets,” said Colleen Friend, superintendent of the Carlisle Area School District. “It gives us the chance to reallocate taxpayer dollars toward instruction and student services instead of utility bills. It demonstrates to our students—in a very real and tangible way—that science, economics, and civic responsibility can intersect to create a better tomorrow.”
Despite its popularity, future funding for Solar for Schools is not guaranteed, as it needs to be renewed annually in the state budget. Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed another $25 million appropriation for Solar for Schools in his February budget address.
“We’re thankful that schools in the 50th District were selected to receive funding through this program,” said state Rep. Bud Cook, R-Greene/Washington. “In addition to coal, oil and natural gas, solar can be a reliable energy source. I look forward to seeing how these projects support energy savings and educational opportunities for our students.”
“The Solar for Schools grant program adds a level of financial predictability that is vital for rural school districts like Central Cambria,” said Jason Moore, superintendent of the Central Cambria School District. “The rooftop array that we are placing on our elementary school will provide all of the building's electricity needs for the next three decades or longer. That not only provides us with immediate relief, but it mitigates against the need for some future tax increases. Electricity prices have been unpredictable and have increased at higher than historical averages in recent years. However, having an array is like owning your very own power plant. It allows more school district resources to go to the students and classrooms rather than going to operation costs.”
“The Solar for Schools program is a smart investment in both our classrooms and our energy future,” said Dave Marsiglio, business administrator of the Bloomsburg Area School District. “It costs about $34,000 a year for power at W.W. Evans Elementary and about $222,000 to keep the lights on at the high school. The district expects to save $4.3 million over 20 years -- the lifespan of the panels -- by going off the grid.”
“Investments that help our schools operate more efficiently and stretch taxpayer dollars are always worth highlighting,” said state Sen. Lynda Culver, R-Columbia/Luzerne/Montour/Northumberland/Snyder, who represents the Bloomsburg Area School District. “The Solar for Schools program is a creative way to help districts reduce long-term costs and refocus savings on student learning. I appreciate the efforts of all those working to ensure schools across Pennsylvania can benefit from this kind of forward-thinking support.”
Also in attendance were PennFuture Director of Government Affairs Adam Nagel, Conservation Voters PA Legislative Director Katie Blume, PennEnvironment Deputy Director Flora Cardoni, Pennsylvania Sierra Club Legislative and Political Director Jenn Quinn, NRDC Policy Director Robert Routh, Generation180 PA director Shannon Crooker, and Secretary-Treasurer Mike Ford and President Rob Bair of the PA State Building and Construction Trades.
Video is available at this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/4jLxBFnHiQE.