Pennsylvania Schools Could Save Millions, Power Thousands of Homes with Solar Energy: New Report
DAUPHINโ COUNTY, Pa. – Aโ new study released by the PennEnvironment Research & Policy โCenter, in partnership with the McClure โCompany, reveals aโค significant chance for Pennsylvania school districts: ample cost savings and a boost to the state’s renewable energy โcapacity through the widespread adoption of solar โpower.โ The report, titledโ “Solar Schools for Pennsylvania,” demonstratesโฃ that installing โsolar panels on school buildings statewide could save โtaxpayers $342 million over the lifetime ofโ the โฃsystems, while togetherโ generating enough electricity to โpower overโฃ 180,000 homes โannually.
As students return to classrooms across the Commonwealth, the timing of โขthe report underscores the potential for a win-win solutionโ for both education and the โenvironment.
the study highlightsโฃ the โsuccess already being seen in districts that have embraced solar energy. The Steelton-Highspire School District, for example, projects savingsโค of $4 millionโ over the next 20 years thanks to its solar panel installation. Beyond simplyโฃ reducing energyโข costs, the generated power is being utilized to power โschool facilities, chargeโฃ electric โคschool buses,โ and even provide a resilientโข backup power source – potentially transforming โschools into emergency shelters when needed.
“Every school district hasโฃ buildingsโค with flat roofs, essentially โunused space,” explained Willie โฃSlade,โค Assistant Superintendent of Steelton-Highspire School District. “We can fill thatโ space with solar panels, save the district a lot of money, and ultimately, โฃsaveโค taxpayers money. It’s a no-brainer.”
PennEnvironment estimates that schools in Dauphin and Cumberland Counties โalone could save over $10 million through โsolar panelโ implementation.
The “Solar Schools for Pennsylvania” report provides a compellingโ case โขfor state and local leaders to prioritize investment โฃin solar energy for schools,offeringโ a pathway to lowerโ costs,increased energy independence,and a more lasting future for Pennsylvania’s โขstudents and communities.
Keywords: Pennsylvania, โsolar energy, schools, โคrenewable energy, cost savings, taxpayer savings, PennEnvironment, Steelton-Highspire School District, solar panels, energy efficiency, sustainability,โ electricโค buses.