Pennsylvania Resources

General resources regarding state clean energy policies, incentives, and utilities.

• Driving PA Forward – Clean Transportation Grants & Rebates: The Driving PA Forward Initiative, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), provides grants and rebates to schools and other entities to replace older diesel vehicles with cleaner, low-emission, or zero-emission alternatives. The program is funded by the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust and supports projects such as: 
  • School bus replacements with electric, propane, CNG, or clean diesel models
  • EV charging infrastructure (Level 2 and DC Fast Chargers)
  • Fleet transitions to zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles

  Funding availability varies, with applications typically reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are depleted. Some grant categories may be temporarily closed. READ MORE →

• Pennsylvania Alternative and Clean Energy (ACE) Program: The Department of Community and Economic Development's Alternative and Clean Energy (ACE) Program provides grants and loans for schools, municipalities, and nonprofits to support renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean energy infrastructure projects. Schools may receive funding for solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, CHP systems, energy-efficient building upgrades, and infrastructure for clean fuels. Grants cover up to 30% of project costs (up to $2 million), and a 1:1 matching investment is required. READ MORE →
  
• Renewable Energy Program (REP) – Geothermal and Wind Projects: The Renewable Energy Program (REP), administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development provides grants and loans to support geothermal and wind energy projects for schools, municipalities, and nonprofits in Pennsylvania. Schools may apply for funding to install geothermal systems or wind energy projects, with grants covering up to 30% of project costs (up to $1 million) and feasibility study grants covering up to 50% of costs (up to $175,000). A matching investment of at least $1 for every $1 in grant funds is required. READ MORE →
• Met-Ed / Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund: The Met-Ed / Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund, administered by the Berks County Community Foundation, supports renewable energy and clean-air technology projects for schools, nonprofits, and local governments in Pennsylvania Electric Company service areas. Funding has historically been available for solar, wind, biomass, hydro, landfill gas, combined heat and power (CHP), and energy efficiency projects. While grant applications are paused as of March 2025, schools may explore Program-Related Investment opportunities for funding. READ MORE →
• PA Alternative Energy Credits: A solar system can be any size and can earn Solar AECs when the system delivers the electricity it generates to the distribution system of an EDC or to the transmission system operated by an RTO. READ MORE →
• Philidelphia Solar Schools Report: Philidelphia Energy Authority's 2017 report on solar schools. Representatives from nine school districts across Pennsylvania participated in phone interviews
  and contributed photos, sharing their experiences building support for, financing, and installing solar on Pennsylvania schools. READ MORE →
• Solar Energy Program (SEP): The Solar Energy Program (SEP) provides financial assistance in the form of grant and loan funds to promote the use of solar energy in Pennsylvania. The program is administered jointly by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) under the direction of the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA). READ MORE →