Legislators, advocates celebrate opening of popular Solar for Schools Program; Urge Pa. schools to apply now for $25 million in grants
Philadelphia House Delegation January 29, 2026 | 11:20 AM
HARRISBURG, Jan. 29 – The application period has opened for the second year of the popular Solar for Schools Grant Program, a bipartisan initiative passed into law in 2024. The program received another $25 million in the 2025-26 state budget, following the initial state investment of $25 million.
An impressive bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers, along with solar organizations and advocates, applauded the renewed funding. The program comes as consumers and schools are struggling with rising costs: energy prices have outpaced inflation over the past six years and are currently the second highest cost for schools in Pennsylvania.
“Schools are facing a massive energy affordability crisis, just like people are at home with their utility bills,” said Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila, who sponsored the initial legislation. “Year one of the Solar for Schools Program was a huge success, and applications are now opening at a perfect time for year two of the program. As prices go up and the federal government continues to slash programs and funding to increase renewable energy supply in PA, our state government must step up to help produce more energy right here in PA. Solar for Schools shows that we have the bipartisan support, in both chambers, to achieve this.”
School districts, charter schools, career and technical schools, community colleges, and intermediate units are eligible to apply now on the Department of Community and Economic Development’s website. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. The funding is separated into three regions to ensure balanced distribution across the state.
“I am glad to see Solar for Schools moving forward again this year and I encourage schools, especially in our rural communities, to apply now that the window is open,” said Sen. Lynda Culver, R-Columbia/Luzerne/Montour/Northumberland/Snyder. “This program can help schools lower long-term energy costs and redirect those dollars back into classrooms, all while keeping the upfront burden low for local budgets. I am grateful to Rep. Fiedler for leading this effort and for working to ensure schools across Pennsylvania can benefit.”
Grant recipients from the first year exemplify the broad, statewide appeal of the program, from the Old Forge School District near Scranton to various recipients in Western PA.
“The Solar for Schools Grant Program is a perfect example of what can happen when we work across the aisle and focus on real results for taxpayers,” said Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Beaver/Greene/Washington. “By helping school districts reduce one of their highest operating costs, this program is already saving schools — and the families who support them — hundreds of thousands of dollars, with the potential for millions more over time. That’s a win for our schools, a win for taxpayers, and a win for communities across Pennsylvania.”
Last year, application requests totaled more than triple the amount of funding available. As a result, school districts in 23 counties across Pennsylvania received grants, many of whom will be breaking ground on projects this year. Recipients included rural schools with FFA programs and city schools that will utilize rooftop solar on flat roofspace.
"Despite rhetoric and misinformation to the contrary, solar is a great solution for schools, offering tremendous benefits for both local taxpayers and the environment,” said Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre. “With peak usage during daylight hours and abundant, unused rooftop space, schools are ideal locations for solar arrays. Especially now, when energy costs are skyrocketing, solar just makes sense. Local schools here in Centre County are already enjoying significant savings and I look forward to the continued growth of this pragmatic, proven, and responsible program across PA. Solar for Schools is a trifecta: benefiting taxpayers, schools, and the environment."
The program has received broad support from environmental groups, solar businesses, building trades, and teachers' unions. Some schools, like Erie County Technical School, plan to incorporate the installation and maintenance of solar panels into their curricula, preparing a new generation for work in the energy sector.
“As conservatives, we believe in stewardship — of our resources, our budgets, and the future we leave our kids. Solar for Schools embodies that belief,” said Jim Gregory, executive director of CEN-PA. “Every panel installed is built and maintained by Pennsylvania workers: electricians, engineers, roofers, and energy technicians. Those jobs stay here, those skills multiply, and those electrons flow into our PJM grid, reinforcing local energy resilience. That’s what ‘all-of-the-above’ energy looks like — coal, gas, and solar working shoulder-to-shoulder to power the commonwealth.”
“Our GET Solar program has successfully guided almost 30 school districts through the Solar for Schools grant process, and we look forward to helping even more,” said Sharon Pillar, founder and executive director of the PA Solar Center. “Energy bills have risen significantly over the past few years, and they show no signs of stopping. However, large consumers of energy like schools can often save tens of thousands of dollars or more on their electric bills by going solar. Many have almost eliminated their electric bills and have redirected that savings back into the classroom.”