Pennsylvania schools are emerging as an unexpected engine of clean energy progress in one of the top carbon-emitting states in the country. Across the Commonwealth from Philadelphia to Erie, schools are turning to solar energy to lower electricity costs, free up funds for classrooms, and provide career and technical education opportunities.
Since Generation180 started its Electrify Our Schools program in Pennsylvania in 2022, solar capacity installed at Pennsylvania K-12 schools has grown by more than 66%. Last year, Generation180 supported state legislators and engaged with a coalition of labor and environmental groups to advocate for the creation of the Solar for Schools Grant Program. By helping secure this policy win, Generation180 ensured that public schools throughout the Commonwealth, especially those in under-resourced and under-represented communities, could access the benefits of solar energy.
Impact of Generation180’s Electrify Our Schools Program in Pennsylvania:
- 57 schools supported in solar planning
- 37 solar feasibility studies completed
- 21 Solar for Schools Grant applications supported
- $17 million in state grants and federal tax credits for new solar projects
- 18+ MW of new solar capacity under development
Pennsylvania’s Solar for Schools Grant Program is helping to deliver the cost-saving benefits of solar energy to cash-strapped public schools across the state. It is an example of the tremendous impact that state investment can have in incentivizing clean energy deployment. In May 2025, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development awarded $22.5 million in solar grants to 73 schools to install a total of 42 MW of new solar capacity. Once completed, these projects would nearly double the amount of solar power generated by statewide K-12 schools and reduce electricity bills by a total of $5 million per year. Generation180 supported the success of the state’s first solar grant program for schools in 2025–a year when federal clean energy incentives were on the chopping block. Generation180 helped 21 Pennsylvania K–12 schools to assess their solar potential, apply to the state grant program, and secure nearly $17 million in state grants and federal tax credits for solar projects.
Despite the drastic changes made to clean energy tax credits this year, Pennsylvania schools are still taking advantage of these critical state funds and forging ahead with new solar energy projects that will significantly reduce long-term electricity costs. Most of the grant award winners are planning to commence construction before the end of 2025, in order to take advantage of the solar energy tax credit before additional restrictions related to Foreign Entities of Concern (FEOC) are in effect. The current pipeline of projects would position Pennsylvania to surpass 60 MW of solar capacity at schools by 2027–doubling the solar power at statewide schools in just five years.
With the renewal of the grant program with another $25 million in 2026, Generation180 will be supporting Pennsylvania schools to maximize the opportunity to bring in state and federal funds, navigate the new solar tax credit regulations, and stabilize electric bills for decades to come.
Spotlight on Erie County Technical School (ECTS)
- Generation180 provided a solar feasibility assessment and supported the grant application to receive $400,000 from Solar for Schools Grant Program.
- ECTS will install 1,500 kW array that will offset 100% of its electricity use and become the first net-zero energy school in northwest Pennsylvania
- ECTS will use the array for solar workforce development for high school students studying electrical engineering technology and construction management.
