Allegheny County – May 20, 2025 – Today, Senator Wayne Fontana announced two schools in the 42nd senatorial district have been awarded grants to install solar panels on their buildings, which will lower energy costs and save taxpayers money.
“With electricity costs rising and renewable energy becoming cheaper and more efficient, the Solar for Schools Grant Program is a homerun,” said Senator Fontana. “We created this program to help keep districts’ energy costs steady, to put skilled laborers to work, and to improve our air quality. I am glad the first round of grants have been awarded and I look forward to advocating for additional funding for more grants during the upcoming budget negotiations.”
The School District of Pittsburgh was awarded $300,000 for the solar project at Pittsburgh Classical 6-8 in the West End and Carlynton School District was awarded $254,683 towards its solar project at the Carlynton Junior/Senior High School in Carnegie.
The Solar for School Program was created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Shapiro last July. Administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), the program provides grants to school districts of up to 50-percent of the costs related to purchasing and installing solar energy systems.
Overall, the Commonwealth Financing Authority awarded grants to 74 schools totaling $22.6 million at its meeting today in Harrisburg. For a complete list of awardees, visit the DCED website.
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