North Schuylkill among first Solar for Schools grant recipients

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS – North Schuylkill is one of several school districts receiving funding in the first Solar for Schools grant program.

State legislators announced the funding award this week.

The program will fund solar arrays on roofs or grounds at schools, saving money on energy bills.

North Schuylkill is receiving $500,000 for the North Schuylkill Jr./Sr. High School.

Elsewhere in the county, Tri-Valley is receiving a combined $800,000 — $400,000 each for the high school and the Hegins-Hubley Elementary School — and Minersville is receiving $500,000 for the Llewellyn Early Childhood Center.

“I’m pleased to see Minersville Area and North Schuylkill school districts receiving grant funding through this innovative program,” said Rep. Tim Twardzik (R-123). “Investing in solar energy with the assistance of these grants helps reduce electric costs for these schools. This program, along with continuing investment in legacy energy, will help ensure Pennsylvania has the energy needed for our growing economy.”

“This bipartisan program will save taxpayers millions in the coming years,” said Senator David G. Argall (R-29). “I’m grateful these local schools secured these highly competitive dollars.”

Solar for Schools was designed as a creative way to address the school funding crisis, rising utility costs, and climate change at once, legislators said.

“The Solar for Schools program is a smart investment in both our classrooms and our energy future,” Sen. Lynda Culver (R-27) said. “Giving schools the tools to reduce long-term utility costs allows more funding to stay where it belongs — in support of students and teachers. I’m pleased to see this bipartisan initiative come to fruition with today’s funding announcements.” 

“Schools across Pennsylvania face tight budgets, and energy costs are one additional expense among a myriad of others,” said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe. “The Solar for Schools program helps ease that burden, allowing school leaders to reinvest savings directly into student learning, teacher support, and school resources. At the same time, these projects turn school buildings into living laboratories where students gain real-world experience in clean energy technology.”

School districts, intermediate units, area career and technical schools, charter schools, cyber charter schools, chartered schools for the education of the deaf or blind, community colleges, The Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, and The Pennsylvania College of Technology were eligible to apply for the grants.

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