With the passage of Solar for Schools and recent federal investments into infrastructure development, now is the most profitable time for school districts to embrace solar.
In recent years, there has been a growing trend among schools to embrace solar energy projects to save costs with the additional benefit of educating students about renewable energy and environmental stewardship. Over the last decade, the amount of solar installed at Pennsylvania schools nearly tripled and the number of schools with solar nearly doubled. These initiatives are beneficial in multiple ways, both for the institutions and communities they serve.
Energy costs represent a significant financial burden for Pennsylvania school districts. Implementing on-site solar power offers a solution that could save districts hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Denver school district recently installed panels on 46 of their school buildings. More than 60 percent of the district’s energy costs for traditional electricity had come from higher rates during peak usage hours. These savings are crucial in addressing funding challenges that affect schools across the state—whether rural, urban, or suburban—allowing funds typically spent on utilities to be redirected towards other critical needs such as repairs or taxpayer savings.
Furthermore, installing solar projects would foster the creation of stable, well-paying jobs within local communities statewide. Pa renewables grew 8.6 percent and added nearly 1,000 jobs in 2022, led by jobs in solar (6,304) and wind energy (3,092). This is the first year renewable generation has been the fastest-growing sector in Pennsylvania’s clean energy economy. Students would attend schools powered by solar arrays constructed by their community, demonstrating the positive impact of clean energy jobs on their daily lives. Simultaneously, transitioning to solar energy would reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lessen pollution, offering substantial environmental and public health benefits.
Supporting solar energy represents a united effort across labor and environmental sectors—a blue-green initiative—to generate family-sustaining employment, facilitate Pennsylvania’s shift towards clean energy, and yield financial savings for schools. The Solar for Schools initiative enjoys broad bipartisan backing encompassing labor, environmental, educational, and industry groups – ranging from the Evangelical Environmentalist Network to the PA Building Trades – all endorsing the legislative effort.
Lastly, solar projects present invaluable educational opportunities for students. They provide real-life examples of sustainable practices and introduce students to the principles of renewable energy. Many schools integrate these projects into their STEM curriculum, offering hands-on learning experiences that are engaging and relevant to the future job market. The shift in energy production should be reflected in the curriculum and the meaningful opportunities offered to students.
Through a blend of state funding and federal resources available via the Inflation Reduction Act and Solar for Schools Program, the financial burden on schools is minimized while bringing federal investment back into Pennsylvania. The time is ripe to incentivize the adoption of solar energy, meet climate objectives, and bolster support for our public schools!
