Solar panels coming to some Philly schools

It was a sunny celebration for the Solar for Schools grants, which will supply funding for Philadelphia schools.

Local legislators came together at Community College of Philadelphia to speak about how green energy will help students in the School District of Philadelphia and community colleges. 

“The Solar for Schools journey has taken me all across Pennsylvania, and I am so excited that these state dollars are coming home to fund solar installations at Philly schools,” Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler said. “In Philadelphia, we are all too familiar with the school funding crisis. Now, thanks to the hard work of the school district, CCP and our Solar for Schools coalition, these projects will cut much-needed costs for our schools and allow them to put that money where it counts: in the classroom.”

Fiedler has been at the forefront of the movement as the sponsor of the bill, which was signed into law last year. It was designed as a creative way to address the school funding crisis, rising utility costs and climate change at once.

“Solar for Schools meets the current moment,” said Sen. Nikil Saval, whose senatorial district includes the CCP main campus. “Thanks to their new grant, CCP will save a tremendous amount of money on energy bills and construction costs – allowing it to instead divert those funds back to the students and the staff and faculty who make this institution run. That the installation of the solar panels will be conducted by union labor using public funds only further underscores the intentional design to uplift the communities it serves.”  

In its pilot year, Solar for Schools has awarded 74 schools a total of almost $22.5 million, spanning from five K-12 schools in Philadelphia and two campuses of the Community College of Philadelphia.

“Solar for Schools is a great example of what happens when we work together, inside the Capitol and outside of it,” said Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, whose legislative district includes the main campus of CCP. “When coalitions of people come together, who don’t always agree but who understood this was something that made sense, this is one of those moments where public policy can be a win-win-win.” 

The celebration was hosted by the Philadelphia House and Senate delegations

“As Appropriations chairman, it’s my job to ensure the state budget reflects the needs of the people of our commonwealth,” said Majority Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee state Rep. Jordan Harris. “For too long, communities like ours have been left behind in clean energy investments. This program is about making sure every neighborhood benefits from a cleaner, greener and healthier city.”

CCP received a total of $506,018 for its campuses, which are located in Center City and Northeast Philadelphia. 

“Environmental sustainability is a key component of our mission at Community College of Philadelphia,” said Dr. Alycia Marshall, interim president of CCP. “The Solar for Schools initiative will help us provide world-class facilities that foster environmental stewardship among our community. We are grateful for the leadership of Sen. Nikil Saval, Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, Rep. Morgan Cephas and so many others for their dedication to forward-thinking policies that will sustain our schools.”

Four School District of Philadelphia schools received a total of nearly $1.3 million. Those schools were W.B. Saul High School, Northeast Community Propel Academy, Andrew Hamilton Elementary School and Murrell Dobbins CTE High School. Universal Audenried Charter High School in South Philly was also awarded $500,000.

Gov. Josh Shapiro has proposed another $25 million appropriation for Solar for Schools in his February budget address. 

“As energy costs and demand continue to rise, innovative solutions like Solar for Schools are essential to keeping the lights on and the power flowing in Pennsylvania while providing economic relief for schools,” said Philadelphia House Delegation Chairwoman Morgan Cephas. “I’m thrilled that CCP has been awarded this state grant to help improve their operating costs so they can continue to provide a quality option for higher education in Philadelphia. Our delegation will advocate for the inclusion of additional funding for Solar for Schools in the 2025-26 state budget.”