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Upper Darby officials pause full rollout of Solar for Schools grant after roof cost concerns
Summary
District administrators briefed trustees on a $5.9 million solar project award and a $4.26 million roofing bill that must be addressed before panels can be installed; board members signaled preference against immediate full implementation and asked staff to return with options.
Upper Darby School District administrators told the Finance and Operations Committee on Aug. 26 that the district had secured state grants for solar arrays at six schools but faces significant roofing costs before panels can be installed.
Marvin Lee, the district’s director of operations, said the district “received approximately $2,400,000 in grant” funding and that updated proposals put the average total project cost at about $5,900,000. He told the committee that, “as long as the school district spends more than 5% of the project cost by July 2026, we will be able to receive the full [federal investment] credit.” Lee added the roofing estimate is about $4,260,000 to bring roofs to a 20-year warranty level aligned with the panels’ expected life.
The financing picture matters because the federal investment tax credit (ITC) has a timing requirement tied to spending; administrators said meeting the 5% spend deadline will be logistically challenging but possible. Lee said…
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