West Chester, Pa (October 21, 2026) – State Senator Carolyn Comitta recently visited Unionville High School tour its new rooftop solar energy system, one of the first in the Pennsylvania to be completed under the state’s new Solar for Schools (S4S) Grant Program. In addition to being a statewide milestone, the installation is now the second-largest rooftop solar energy system in Chester County.
Established in 2024 by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the inaugural S4S Program awarded $22.5 million to 73 schools to help reduce the cost of implementing renewable energy.
Located on the roof of Unionville High School (UHS), the 650-kilowatt the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District (UCFSD system, built by local company Terra Sol Solar and designed by Spotts, Stevens and McCoy Group, features approximately 900 American-made solar panels. It is projected to produce 25 percent of UCFSD’s energy and save the district at least $75,000 annually in operating costs, a figure likely to grow as energy costs rise.
“Using solar energy to power our schools and educational facilities is cleaner, cheaper, and it sends the message to students and families that we take sustainability seriously,” said State Senator Carolyn Comitta, Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. “UCFSD was one of three in my district to be awarded grant funding through the Pennsylvania Solar for Schools program. I’m excited to see these projects come online as we work together to reduce harmful emissions, meet our climate action goals, and save taxpayer dollars.”
“The solar array project is a perfect example of our district value of principled stewardship,” reflected UCFSD Superintendent Dr. Tim Hoffman. “Investing in solar ensures energy efficiency for our district. Efficiency with our resources is critical for our long-term financial health and decreases the overall burden on our tax base to keep up with rising costs.”
State Representative Christina Sappey also emphasized the importance of this statewide initiative in protecting local communities.
“Utility bills are one of the largest expenses for public schools. The 2024 Solar for Schools Grant Program was created to lower operating costs and protect local taxpayers,” she added. “By completing this project, UCFSD demonstrates how state grants reduce overhead and keep district funds focused on our students.”
Thanks to a combination of S4S funding, federal rebates, and PECO incentives, UCFSD’s net cost for the installation was reduced to roughly $450,000, bringing the system’s return on investment to under seven years. State leaders have praised the district’s initiative for aligning local fiscal responsibility with broader state environmental goals.
“This solar array represents a forward‑looking investment in our students, our community, and our environment,” said Pennsylvania Senator John I. Kane. “Through the support of the Solar for Schools Grant Program, UCFSD is taking meaningful steps to reduce energy costs, model sustainability for future generations, and demonstrate what’s possible when schools have access to innovative clean‑energy funding. I am so proud to support a project that reflects such strong leadership in education and environmental stewardship.”
Beyond the financial and environmental benefits, the system will serve as a living classroom. UCFSD will partner with high school staff this fall to integrate it into the curriculum, offering students hands-on STEM learning.
“The panels on the roof are producing electricity for our school, but the most important thing they’ll produce is an opportunity for our students to learn about the energy systems of the future,” added UCFSD Director of Facilities James Whitesel.