The School District of Philadelphia has been awarded $1.2 million from the first Solar for PA Schools Grant Program to install solar energy at four schools: Andrew Hamilton School, Murrell Dobbins Career & Technical Education High School, Northeast Community Propel Academy, and W. B. Saul High School.

A total of 74 schools are sharing in $22.6 million from the state’s Solar for PA Schools Grant Program. In Philadelphia, the funding will cover up to 50 percent of construction costs for solar energy projects, and clean energy rebates and incentives will further discount project installation costs, with District funds covering the remainder.

The Solar for PA Schools Grants provide critical funding to reduce upfront costs for installing solar energy. The installations will lower long-term operational costs and build upon the District’s commitment to model environmental stewardship for our students and community, a key objective of the District’s nationally recognized Green Futures sustainability program.

The schools were selected based on geographic diversity and sites that would be considered “solar-ready,” with a roof within the District’s typical 40-year warranty and sufficient electrical capacity.

“Solar energy is a win-win for the School District of Philadelphia. It provides the opportunity to lower costs and reduce our environmental footprint,” said Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Ed.D., School District of Philadelphia. “Every dollar our schools can save through lower electricity costs is a dollar we can invest to continue accelerating student achievement.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development received 88 applications during the first year of the Solar for PA Schools Grant Program. The funding requests exceeded more than three times the program’s allocation, reflecting the growing interest in solar energy.

“I am so happy for each of these schools and excited to see names from nearly every corner of the state,” said Elizabeth Fiedler, Representative for the 184 th District and 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.”

The District estimates the solar energy installations will generate more than 50 percent of the schools’ electricity needs, saving millions of dollars over the lifetime of the equipment. With the grant, the projects will pay for themselves in less than eight years, according to technical feasibility assistance provided by the Philadelphia Energy Authority and Pennsylvania Solar Center.

“Solar energy is an already sound investment. When combined with the Solar for PA School Grants Program, solar provides clear short- and long-term benefits,” said Grace Hancock, Philadelphia Energy Authority’s Senior Manager of Policy and Strategic Partnerships. “This grant can unlock tax credits and rebates, significantly reducing the cost of going solar. Plus, on-site solar advances GreenFutures sustainability goals and provides learning opportunities for students interested in clean energy career paths.”

Existing District solar energy installations include rooftop arrays at Albert M. Greenfield Elementary School, made possible by private donations, and at S. Solis- Cohen Elementary School.