Solar for Schools Grant Program (S4S)

The Solar for Schools Grant Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), is designed to support the implementation of solar energy systems in educational institutions across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Established through the Solar for Schools Act of July 17, 2024 (P.L.813, No. 68), the program aims to reduce financial barriers to solar energy adoption in public schools, technical colleges, and other qualifying institutions. The initiative reflects the Commonwealth’s broader commitment to renewable energy adoption and educational innovation. Eligible applicants include a broad array of Pennsylvania educational institutions: school districts, intermediate units, area career and technical schools, charter schools (including cyber and regional charter schools), schools for the education of the deaf or blind, community colleges, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, and Pennsylvania College of Technology. Each applicant must undergo a Solar Facility Site Assessment, which includes a location proposal, orientation data, solar shading analysis, financial projections, estimated installation costs, and long-term maintenance planning. These assessments must be conducted by certified or experienced solar professionals, but grantees may not contract the same party to implement the project. Projects supported through the program must be located on school facilities and involve photovoltaic or solar thermal systems that store or convert solar energy. Allowable uses of grant funds include the purchase and installation of equipment, energy storage, engineering and design costs, permit fees, legal costs, site preparation, and certain administrative expenses. Engineering, inspection, and design costs are capped at 10% of the grant amount, while administrative and legal fees are limited to 2%. Ineligible costs include fees associated with securing other financing, lobbying services, unpaid taxes, and any expenses incurred prior to formal grant approval. Funding limits are tied to an institution’s Market Value/Personal Income Aid Ratio (MV/PI AR), as calculated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Applicants with an MV/PI AR of 0.7 or greater may receive up to the lesser of $600,000 or 50% of project costs; those with an MV/PI AR between 0.5 and 0.7 may receive up to $480,000 or 40% of project costs; and applicants with an MV/PI AR below 0.5 may receive the lesser of $360,000 or 30% of project costs. Entities not assigned a ratio must defer to the local district's ratio where the project is sited. Applicants are grouped into three regions to ensure geographic equity: Region 1 includes western and central counties, Region 2 includes northeastern and midstate counties, and Region 3 covers southeastern counties including Philadelphia. Applications must be submitted electronically via the PA DCED Single Application for Assistance portal at grants.pa.gov. Required documentation includes project descriptions, funding commitment letters, solar curricula, site and roof assessments, maps or plot plans, planning and utility letters, and evidence of participation in relevant federal programs such as the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit. Projects will be evaluated based on regional distribution, feasibility, capital efficiency, equipment origin, timeline readiness, and potential educational integration. Consideration is also given to proximity to former coal-powered generation sites and potential eligibility for federal Inflation Reduction Act incentives. Upon approval, DCED issues a grant agreement and commitment letter electronically. Applicants must sign and return the agreement within 30 days. Payment requests must be substantiated with invoices and undergo a review process that may take up to 45 days. Projects must adhere to prevailing wage laws, nondiscrimination clauses, and proper procurement standards. For more information, applicants may contact the DCED Office of Business Finance and Workforce Development – CFA Programs Division by phone at (717) 787-6245 or email at [email protected].

Prioritize educational integration, readiness of site, U.S.-made equipment, and project proximity to former coal plants.