Climate Action
Bright Ideas: Solar in Pennsylvania Schools Is an Investment in Learning
May 5, 2025
After teacher salaries, energy costs are the second largest expense to school districts. The U.S. Energy Department estimates that K-12 school districts are spending nearly $8 billion yearly to power their schools.
That’s not just a budget line – it’s a major opportunity. Beyond the initial installation cost, solar panels require minimal maintenance and are built to last 30 to 35 years, offering a long-term return on investment that can generate savings for decades.
These savings can be redirected toward educational priorities such as hiring staff, improving facilities, upgrading technology, or expanding student programs.
Powering Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is leading the push with the goal to power all of their public schools with solar energy. Launched in July 2024, the Solar for Schools program offers grants covering up to 50% of solar installation costs for K-12 schools, community colleges, and technical institutions. But is it enough?
This is a common issue among climate initiatives: promising beginnings that fall short when it comes to long-term support and equitable access. While partial funding is a significant step, it’s only the foundation.
Solar use in K-12 schools has tripled over the past decade in Pennsylvania, yet as of 2024, still less than 2% of schools generate and use their own solar power – a strikingly low figure that lags well behind the national average of 11%. But this is not from lack of interest.
In Solar for Schools’ first application round, demand far exceeded expectations with 88 schools from 25 counties applying for $88 million in funding, despite only $25 million being available. This overwhelming response highlights the clear and growing interest among educational institutions to transition to clean energy, but it also underscores the funding gap. Schools are eager to participate, yet the limited availability of resources may leave many without support.
Without a corresponding increase in investment, the enthusiasm driving this initiative risks turning into frustration, particularly for schools that have already begun planning for a solar future.
A Success Story
South Central Pennsylvania’s Carlisle Area School District (CASD) has already experienced the benefits of transitioning to solar energy and is eager to build on that progress with support from the Solar for Schools program. Between 2010-11 Bellaire Elementary, one of seven elementary schools in the district, installed hundreds of solar panels amounting to a $2 million project.
Bellaire Elementary now runs entirely on solar and has cut energy bills district-wide by 14%. During the Solar for Schools campaign, Representative Elizabeth Fiedler who sponsored the program toured Bellaire as a model for what’s possible when schools are empowered to make the switch.
That was in April 2024, amid promises of a grant program backed by state investments ranging anywhere from $50 million to $100 million. Despite receiving bipartisan support, only $25 million ended up being allocated to the program, a figure that fell far short of early projections and the overwhelming demand from schools.
However, in March 2025 Rep. Fiedler mentioned the possibility of an additional $25 million being added to Solar for Schools in Governor Shapiro’s next budget.
It is expected that the grant recommendations will be released in May, and schools are already envisioning what they can do with the potential funding. As schools await decisions, the conversation is shifting toward what’s at stake, and what solar could make possible beyond the installations themselves.
Learning in a New Light
Carlisle is pursuing a solar project for a second school, Crestview Elementary. While they’ve already seen the financial payoff from Bellaire Elementary’s success, their motivation goes deeper than just cost savings. For Carlisle, expanding solar is part of a broader commitment to sustainability, educational innovation, and leading by example in the community.
As important as the revenue and cost savings are to the district, even more powerful to me is that we are teaching our children about the importance of saving energy and being good stewards for the environment.
Superintendant Dr. Colleen Friend
That educational impact is already coming to life. Superintendent Dr. Colleen Friend shared that the district’s Program Supervisor for Science is especially excited to integrate the solar array into Pennsylvania’s new Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability standards.
Similarly, students are also excited about a renewable future. A memorable example involved eighth grade students taking part in a “Shark Tank”-inspired project, where they presented innovative ideas to school administrators on how to improve energy efficiency in their own school buildings.
Empowering Schools, Energizing Communities
Superintendent Dr. Friend also explains that “This would be a win at every angle you look at it.” In addition to the educational and environmental benefits, expanding solar in schools brings broader community advantages: reducing strain on local energy grids, showcasing sustainability in action, and demonstrating how schools can lead by example in addressing climate challenges.
But to turn early progress into lasting impact, consistent momentum is key. Long-term support, reliable investment, and continued public attention will be essential to ensure that clean energy has a sustainable and equitable foundation.
This year’s Earth Day theme, Our Power, Our Planet, is a powerful reminder that the shift to clean energy isn’t just about infrastructure, it’s about empowerment. When schools harness solar power, they’re not only cutting emissions, they’re planting the seeds of climate action in the minds of young people, giving communities the tools to shape their own energy future.
Ready to take the next step? Sign on to Earth Action Day to take bold, collective action for a cleaner, more sustainable planet by encouraging the switch to renewables.
Informed communities and unstoppable communities, so whether you’re a student, educator, parent, or policymaker, you have a role to play in shaping a just future. From supporting clean energy programs to integrating climate lessons into classrooms, every action counts. Let’s power up together!
This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at [email protected] or [email protected]. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.
