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    Grants, Loans, and Rebates

    Solar for Schools Pilot Loan Program

    Solar for Schools Loan

    Program Summary

    PEDA created the Solar for Schools Loan Program to provide public school districts with an affordable financing option for the installation, operation, and maintenance of solar energy projects, including energy storage, on district-owned property.  This loan is intended to compliment the Department of Community and Economic Development’s  Solar for Schools Grant Program. 

    Please note that this program is currently in a pilot phase and available to school districts located in southwestern Pennsylvania.  Please see the loan program guidelines for complete eligibility criteria. Available funds are limited and we may not be able to fulfill all requests. PEDA intends to offer this program statewide in the future.

     

    Eligible Applicants

    To be eligible to apply for a loan, applicants must meet all the following criteria:

    • Be a public school district.
    • Be located within one of the following counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Indiana, Somerset, Washington, or Westmoreland.
    • Be a recipient of a grant award under the Solar for Schools Grant Program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
    • Be located in a coal community according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Community Tax Credit Bonus Map and/or must have at least 50 percent of its students receiving free or reduced lunch.

     

    Eligible Solar Energy Projects

    To be eligible for funding through a loan, a solar project must meet all of the following criteria:

    • The solar energy project must have been awarded a grant under DCED’s Solar for Schools Grant Program.
    • The solar energy project must be installed on property owned by the eligible applicant.
    • The energy generated by the solar energy project must be intended for use by buildings, equipment, or facilities owned by the applicant.
    • Solar photovoltaic energy systems must be new equipment certified by Underwriters Laboratories and be installed in compliance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code and local codes and ordinances.

     

    Preparing to Apply 

    To apply for this loan funding, potential applicants should:

    • Thoroughly review the PEDA Solar for Schools Loan Program Guidelines.
    • Access the Commonwealth’s Electronic Single Application (ESA) portal to submit an online application.
    • You must first register for an account to apply for the loan via ESA.  Your school should already have a username and password to log into ESA.  After you login, use the search function and enter keywords such as ‘Solar,’ S4S,’ or ‘Solar for Schools’ to find the loan application. 
      • Tip: check your browser compatibility. ESA works with Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. It is recommended that you use the latest versions of these browsers.
    • Make sure you are applying for the Solar for Schools loan program versus the grant program. 
    • Complete the online application.
       

    Questions?

    Applicants interested in PEDA’s Solar for Schools Loan Program can schedule a pre-application consultation, or direct questions to PEDA staff prior to applying.  To schedule a pre-application consultation meeting or ask a question, contact the PEDA team at RA-PEDA@pa.gov or (717) 772-5842.  

     

    Is your school pursuing a solar or energy efficiency project but not yet ready or eligible to take advantage of this opportunity?  You can submit a project interest form so we can stay in touch as additional funding becomes available.