DELAWARE COUNTY, PA– Mayo 20, 2025 – Senator Tim Kearney (D-Delaware),Representative Heather Boyd (D-Delaware), Representative Gina H. Curry (D-Delaware), and Representative Jennifer O’Mara (D-Delaware), today announced over $3.1 million in Solar for Schools Grant money benefiting three school districts in Delaware County.
“These grants represent a major win for Upper Darby, William Penn, and Rose Tree Media School districts and our environment, and they directly support the clean energy priorities we highlighted at my recent Environmental and Renewable Energy Expo earlier this month,” said Senator Kearney. “Investing in solar energy not only lowers long-term costs but sets an example for students about the importance of sustainability and forward-thinking infrastructure.”
“This investment in solar energy is a major step forward for Upper Darby School District and the families it serves,” said Representative Boyd. “By reducing long-term energy costs, these grants will ease the financial burden on taxpayers while helping our schools operate more efficiently. At the same time, we’re teaching students the value of clean, renewable energy and making our community a leader in sustainability.”
“The priority to make schools more sustainable through this substantial Solar for Schools grant is ensuring that our students will not only benefit from an environmentally friendly and safe structural advancement but it also means that this type of investment proves to be a long lasting initiative that the districts I proudly represent and the districts throughout Delaware County will be able to see for years to come,” said Representative Curry. “It makes room for fiscal savings to initiate improvements and expansive action to provide more of what is needed for our students overall. This is not just a one-time opportunity, but it will continue to give back, and that is a win on all sides.”
“I am thrilled that Rose Tree Media School District will see funds from this grant program,” said Representative O’Mara. “The benefits are long-lasting, not just for the environment but for the school district and their overall costs. It’s a win for our students, our schools, and the entire community—building a healthier, more sustainable future together.”
The awardees are as follows:
- Solar for Schools Program at Bywood Elementary in the Upper Darby School District was awarded $323,213
- Solar for Schools Program at Primos Elementary in the Upper Darby School District was awarded $334,913
- Solar for Schools Program at Hillcrest Elementary in the Upper Darby School District was awarded $446,713
- Solar for Schools Program at Stonehurst Elementary in the Upper Darby School District was awarded $359,288
- Solar for Schools Program at Drexel Hill Middle School in the Upper Darby School District was awarded $500,000
- Solar for Schools Program at Westbrook Elementary in the Upper Darby School District was awarded $431,600
- Solar for Schools Program for the William Penn School District’s Park Lane Project was awarded $500,000
- Solar Power for Rose Tree Media School District was awarded $229,833
The Solar for Schools Grant Program is established pursuant to the act of Jul 17, 2024 (P.L.813, No. 68) known as the Solar for Schools Act. This program seeks to reduce the cost of implementing solar energy systems into schools across the Commonwealth. In order to accomplish this goal, the Department of Community and Economic Development has established a grant program that school districts, intermediate units, charter schools including cyber, regional, and a school for education of the deaf or the blind, area career and technical schools, specific trade and technical schools, and community colleges can use to fund solar energy projects. These grants will aid in the purchase and installation of equipment, permit fees, energy storage, and utility interconnection.
Learn more about the Lightning Plan and its investments in green energy production here.
Para más información sobre este comunicado de prensa, póngase en contacto con la oficina del senador Tim Kearney en el 610-544-6120.
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