First State school districts will receive at least $500,000 for solar panels to create renewable energy. (Unsplash)
Delaware’s 19 public school districts will receive at least $500,000 each to install solar panels to reduce energy consumption for certain school buildings.
Energize Delaware, an energy conservation group, has launched the grant program to encourage First State district schools to reduce their energy costs.
“School districts use a lot of energy and the savings will lower their expenses for the benefit of everyone,” said Tony DePrima, the group’s executive director.
Districts must apply for the grant, but are guaranteed the half million dollars once they do.
The program itself has $15 million in funding, according to Robin Coventry, the organization’s communications and marketing manager.
Each district is required to submit a feasibility study, funded by the grant, to select the most advantageous location for the solar panels, which can be roof, ground or carport mounted.
The funds can be further used for safety barriers, signage and utility and meter upgrades.
Schools that install the green-energy alternative will retain ownership of their solar renewable energy credits, which are essentially energy vouchers that can be sold to companies to provide them with renewable energy.
Efforts were not successful Thursday to reach the Department of Education for comment.
Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.
Jarek can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (215) 450-9982. Follow him on Twitter @jarekrutz
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