HARRISBURG – Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-46) announced today that three school districts, a career and technology center and an intermediate unit in the region have been awarded state grants for solar energy projects.
The grants were awarded through the Solar for Schools Grant Program, created by lawmakers in 2024 and funded through the 2024-25 budget. The grants will help schools cover the cost of preparing the site, purchasing and installing equipment, as well as engineering, administrative, operating and maintenance fees.
“The widespread and extended power outages that happened in Texas a few years back remind us how vital it is, as the demand for energy increases, to diversify our energy sources. We cannot be so foolish as to think we can rely on one or two ways to produce power,” Bartolotta said. “These grants give not only our schools but also the businesses and homes in the area greater energy security, all while saving taxpayers money.”
Washington County
- California Area School District received $367,200 to install a 510-kilowatt ground mount photovoltaic system on the high school campus that is expected to save more than $49,000 each year.
- Canon-McMillan School District received $190,260 to install a 317-kilowatt roof mounted system on a new elementary school to save a projected $35,500 annually.
- Intermediate Unit 1 received $259,200 to install a 360-kilowatt ground mount photovoltaic system. The anticipated annual savings to the school district is more than $38,500.
Greene County
- West Greene School District received $181,440 to install a 300-kilowatt rooftop photovoltaic solar system on the school campus. Annual savings should exceed $32,800.
- Greene County Career and Technology Center received $42,480 to install a 53-kilowatt roof-mounted photovoltaic system on its welding and construction facility. It is expected to save more than $7,300 annually.
The funding was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development that administers many of Pennsylvania’s economic development and community improvement programs.
CONTACT: Katrina Hanna, 717-787-1463