The Wyomissing School District has been awarded two grants totaling $720,000 for a pair of solar energy projects.
The state Department of Community and Economic Development on Tuesday announced the approval of more than $1.6 million in Solar for Schools grants for three school districts, including Wyomissing.
The grants are to help districts cover the cost of purchasing and installing solar panels, including permit fees, energy storage and utility interconnection.
“Electricity bills are a major cost for school districts across the commonwealth, often using significant parts of their budget,” Rick Siger, department secretary, said in a statement announcing the grants. “Through programs like Solar for Schools, the Shapiro Administration is supporting schools by investing in long-term solutions that save money, create jobs and improve the educational environment for all students.”
The newly passed state budget includes $25 million in funding for the Solar for Schools program. The program has provided just over $24 million to 82 schools since the program’s inception in 2023,
With the latest batch of grants, Wyomissing will receive assistance with a pair of solar projects.
The district received $360,000 for a project at Wyomissing Junior-Senior High School that is expected to save the district an average of nearly $125,000 per year in energy costs.
The district also received another $360,000 for a project at Wyomissing Hills Elementary School that is expected to save the district over $92,000 annually.
The other grants approved Tuesday were $960,000 for two projects in the Norristown School District in Montgomery County, and $960,000 for two projects in the Newport School District in Perry County.