The solar array located next to the high school provided a backdrop for a news conference on Tuesday about legislation that seeks to create a solar energy grant program to fund similar projects at public schools and community colleges across Pennsylvania.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Philadelphia, encourages state investment in hopes of qualifying for solar project funding through the federal Inflation Reduction Act. She said that federal money could provide as much as 30 percent to 50 percent of a project’s cost.
A hearing on the bill is set for Tuesday in the House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee.
“By bringing back federal money and working with state partners, we can support schools across Pennsylvania in putting solar on their land or solar on their roof,” Fiedler said.
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jordan Harris, D-Philadelphia, said solar projects like the one at Steelton-Highspire demonstrate “what we can do when we are visionary in our houses of education.”
Harris added, “This project is a prime example of making sure that we’re doing all that we can to return as much money back to the classrooms as possible while also being concerned about the kind of environment and planet that we leave for our children.”
The state investment would allow similar projects to be replicated in more districts, said Rep. Dave Madsen, D-Dauphin County, who represents that Steelton-Highspire community.
“As we look to reduce pollution, create sustainable careers, and save money on energy costs, solar energy needs to be a part of the conversation,” he said.
The solar panels began supplying the district’s energy needs last year. The array of panels produce 1.7 megawatts, which is enough to power 6,000 homes for an entire year. The $3 million construction cost was funded through a power purchase agreement along with McClure Company, which installed the panels, providing some upfront capital and federal tax incentives. Over the panels’ 20-year life, district officials expect this project will save the district, which they said is underfunded by $10 million a year, about $3.6 million.
District Superintendent Mick Iskric said the district intends to install electric charging stations that will be used to charge the seven electric school buses it will have in operation in 2024-25. Those buses, in turn, would be able to power up the high school to use as a community shelter in the event of an emergency.
“We will also provide charging stations for community members and also our teachers,” Iskric said. “One of our ways we’re going to try to combat the teacher shortage is offer a recharging station to our teachers as an added benefit.”
Kevin Busher from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association estimates fewer than a dozen school districts in Pennsylvania have solar arrays supplying their energy needs because he said can’t afford them.
“The Solar for All Schools bill would help get many of the projects off the ground by providing a source of state funding for the study and installation of the solar panels in schools across the state,” he said.
A study done by the school boards’ associationfound more than half of school districts reported energy efficiency upgrades as one of their biggest areas of infrastructure needs.
Asked about Fiedler’s legislation at an unrelated news conference on Tuesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro said he wanted to review the legislation, but found it an interesting idea that fits with his budget proposal to invest $500 million over five years to address school infrastructure needs.
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