Pa. schools converting to solar power to save money

A new study by PennEnvironment Research and Policy Center, in collaboration with the McClure Company, reveals that installing solar panels on school buildings across Pennsylvania could save taxpayers millions and generate electricity for thousands of homes.The “Solar Schools for Pennsylvania” report suggests that utilizing solar energy in schools could produce enough electricity to power over 180,000 homes annually.The report indicates that if implemented statewide, solar panels could save school districts and taxpayers $342 million over their lifetimes.This initiative has already been successfully completed in several districts, including the Steelton-Highspire School District, where administrators report a projected savings of $4 million over the next 20 years.The power generated is used to power schools, charge electric buses, and can even transform schools into shelters if necessary.”Every school district has its buildings with flat roof, so there’s nothing up there but space and you can fill those spaces with solar panels, and it’s going to save your district a lot of money,” said Willie Slade, assistant superintendent of Steelton-Highspire School District. “So, to me and you, I said your taxpayer which is going to make everyone happy. So, to me it’s a no brainer.”PennEnvironment added that solar panels would save Dauphin and Cumberland County schools over $10 million in their lifetimes.The study was released in response to the beginning of school years statewide, emphasizing the timely relevance of the findings.