Mickey Dutrow: Solar a budget solution for Pa. schools

Next year, Pennsylvania school districts will be staring down a financial cliff as the historic covid-19 pandemic funding ends. The stakes are even higher now since the state Supreme Court ruled that the General Assembly must find ways to pay for public education. When compounded with crumbling infrastructure, increasing mental health and safety needs, and the ever-growing costs of health insurance and retirement benefits, school districts will find themselves facing some tough decisions.

Schools operate on tight budgets, and energy is typically the second largest expense for schools. Districts often look to their operations budgets for ways to cut costs. But most schools have had to raise their electricity budget for the first time in years. Fossil fuel energy sources are subject to fluctuating prices and market volatility, making it difficult for school districts to afford fast-rising energy bills. With new federal and state funding opportunities making solar more affordable, Pennsylvania schools should seriously consider adding solar energy as a budget strategy.

Solar energy provides a stable, long-term budget solution, especially for underfunded, low-income school districts. Steelton-Highspire School District, which is underfunded by $10 million per year, powers 100% of its electricity with solar and anticipates $4 million in energy savings over two decades. Through a public-private partnership, the district was able to make the switch to solar without having to find the funds for the upfront capital costs. Across the commonwealth, school districts are embracing renewable energy, substantially reducing their energy costs, and allocating the funds they save (from lower energy costs) toward other critical educational needs.

Solar panels have a life span of 25-30 years, during which they generate electricity at a known fixed cost. This means that schools can predict and plan for their energy expenses over an extended period. Midd-West School District is a rural school district that is currently 95% powered by solar and is already saving $145,000 per year. Midd-West is currently adding more solar panels to offset 110% of the district’s electricity and generate revenue to add to its budget.

Furthermore, integrating solar power into school campuses presents valuable educational opportunities. By adopting solar panels and associated technologies, schools can create hands-on learning experiences for students and create a career pathway into the fast-growing solar industry. The School District of Philadelphia just graduated the first students from its Bright Solar Futures Academy, a three-year high school program that provides career and technical training for students to enter into the solar energy workforce upon graduation.

Solar power is a win-win-win proposition for schools, as House Representative Fiedler and the coalition supporting House Bill 1032 — the Solar for Schools Grant Program in Pennsylvania — have argued. This state-managed grant program will make solar more accessible for schools by leveraging historic federal funding incentives through the Inflation Reduction Act while creating family-sustaining jobs.

This pending budget crisis is real, but school districts willing to explore innovative and sustainable solutions to effectively manage their resources will be better positioned to survive what could be large-scale change. Embracing solar energy offers numerous advantages, from reducing energy costs and ensuring long-term financial stability to providing educational opportunities and making a positive environmental impact. Solar energy enables schools to thrive financially while promoting sustainability, innovation, and community involvement. It’s time for Pennsylvania schools to embrace the power of the sun and illuminate a brighter future for their students, communities, and the environment.

Micki Dutrow is retired superintendent of West Branch Area School District in Clearfield County.