Pennsylvania Schools Have Doubled Their Solar Power Use Since 2020

A recent report by Generation180, a clean energy nonprofit, reveals that the installation of solar panels in K-12 schools in Pennsylvania has nearly doubled from 2020 to 2022. One of the notable success stories mentioned in the report is Pittsburgh’s Woodland Hills School District.

Shannon Crooker, the Pennsylvania director for Generation180, emphasizes the importance of schools taking part in the transition to clean energy. Not only does it contribute to a positive environmental impact, but it also benefits students and taxpayers by providing significant cost savings.

Currently, only 2% of schools in Pennsylvania, a total of 108, generate their own solar power. However, Generation180 highlights several ways in which schools can initiate their own solar energy projects with no upfront costs. The report reveals that 66% of solar projects for schools were financed by third parties, and 61% of Pennsylvania schools with solar panels are eligible for the Title I program, which offers federal financial aid to schools with low-income students. Generation180 also offers assistance to those interested in embarking on their own solar energy journey.

Crooker encourages schools that haven’t yet engaged with developers to reach out and learn from success stories. The organization’s clean energy Leaders Network provides a platform for superintendents and facility managers who have already undergone the solar installation process to share their experiences.

In addition to financial advantages, Generation180 also emphasizes the positive health and environmental benefits of solar power. According to their report, the annual clean electricity generation in schools would offset greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 5,000 gas-powered vehicles from the road.

The Woodland Hills School District made a significant commitment to addressing climate change. In 2019, it became the first district in Pennsylvania to pass a school board resolution on climate change. Furthermore, in September 2021, the district released a climate action plan with the goal of achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050. Katie Green, a student at Woodland Hills High School and a member of the school’s Climate Action Team, emphasizes the importance of teaching climate change and promoting youth activism to combat the impacts of climate change in the community, particularly because the policies implemented today will have the greatest impact on future generations.

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Michael Lang is a 33-year-old professor and blogger who is passionate about writing. He has been blogging for over 7 years and has written for various online publications. Michael is also a seasoned professor who has taught at the college level for over a decade. He is currently a professor of English at a community college in the Midwest.