Upper Darby committee backs solar at Hillcrest and Stonehurst after cheaper bathroom renovation test

The Upper Darby School District’s finance and operations committee signaled support for moving forward with solar installations at Hillcrest and Stonehurst elementary schools and described a lower-cost bathroom renovation method that administrators say will free funding for capital work.

District Director of Operations Marvin Lee told the committee the district originally received an award under the Pennsylvania Solar for Schools grant and faces two major cost uncertainties: a federal investment tax credit and substantial roofing work. “We are asking the board to reconsider and approve that we move forward with the solar for school project at 2 of the 6 schools,” Lee said. He recommended completing Hillcrest and Stonehurst by summer 2026.

Why it matters: the grant and the federal investment tax credit together substantially reduce the district’s net cost, but roofing and capital work could offset those savings. Lee said the federal investment tax credit (ITC) is attainable if the district incurs 5% of project costs by July 2026; state grant funds remain available through June 2028. If the district defers work past those windows it may forfeit federal funds or delay state reimbursements.

Most important facts

- The district…