STEELTON, PA — Pennsylvania is committing another $25 million to its Solar for Schools program under the 2026-27 state budget, extending a grant initiative that has already directed about $27.2 million to solar projects at 84 schools as districts seek to reduce long-term electricity costs.
Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jessica Shirley and Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger detailed the funding Tuesday during a visit to the Steelton-Highspire School District, where a new solar array is projected to save the district $3.6 million over 20 years.
The additional appropriation extends a program created in 2024 to help educational institutions finance solar installations. More than 40 schools have converted at least some of their electricity consumption to solar through the initiative, according to the administration.
Eligible applicants include school districts, intermediate units, charter and cyber charter schools, area career and technical schools, certain trade and technical schools, community colleges and schools serving students who are deaf or blind.
Grants can cover equipment purchases and installation, permitting, energy storage and utility-interconnection expenses. The state also provides a 10-step Solar for Schools Toolkit intended to help schools evaluate whether a project is financially and operationally suitable for their facilities.
“The Solar for Schools program enables school districts across Pennsylvania to lower their electricity bills and invest those savings into their students,” Siger stated.
Steelton-Highspire offers one measure of the potential economics. The district received a $446,363 state grant in 2025 and subsequently installed a 1.7-megawatt solar array on property that had previously been used as a dumping ground for debris from Hurricane Agnes.
The array supplies the equivalent of 100% of the district’s electricity needs through a power purchase agreement, according to the administration. The district expects the project to generate $3.6 million in savings over two decades.
Steelton-Highspire is also incorporating renewable-energy instruction into its curriculum, giving students hands-on STEM exposure connected to the installation.
“This partnership is about more than installing solar technology — it is about creating authentic learning experiences that connect classroom instruction to real-world careers,” Superintendent Willie Slade stated.
The solar project is part of a broader energy strategy at the district. Steelton-Highspire has worked with McClure Company on energy-efficiency upgrades and with First Student to deploy six electric school buses, which the administration reports have reduced operating expenses.
With the new $25 million appropriation, Pennsylvania has committed more than $52 million to the Solar for Schools program between awards already made and funding authorized for its continuation.
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