Congresswoman Brown, County Executive Ronayne Announce Federal Support for Solar for Schools Program in Maple Heights

Maple Heights, OH – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) announced federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Cuyahoga County’s innovative new Solar for Schools program Tuesday morning at Maple Heights High School. Congresswoman Brown was joined by Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne, Cuyahoga County Council President Pernel Jones, Jr., Maple Heights Mayor Annette M. Blackwell, and other officials, to highlight the impact of federal funding and explain the benefits of the new initiative.

**Video link (program begins 6:40), photos link**

Cuyahoga County’s Solar for Schools program provides financial support to five county school districts for solar installation, including the Maple Heights City School District. The program aims to reduce electricity costs and local emissions, while increasing equitable access to clean, local, renewable energy and providing educational opportunities for K-12 students.

Solar for Schools is funded by a $557,250 Department of Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) that was awarded to Cuyahoga County in February. The EECBG was funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law through the DOE’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) and is designed to fund a wide range of energy efficiency and decarbonization projects. (BIL fact sheet here) Additional financial support for participating school districts is provided by tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act. Congresswoman Brown proudly voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.

“Maple Heights High School will soon have on-campus solar panels thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I was proud to vote for. Federal funds are flowing into Cuyahoga County and the impact is real. Cuyahoga County’s Solar for Schools is an innovative, impactful, and equitable investment in clean energy and healthy communities, and it’s possible because we have a federal framework combined with local leaders who have a vision. Clean air and lower energy costs can’t be limited to a few neighborhoods – we need them everywhere, including Maple Heights. I’m excited to highlight how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is making an impact in Northeast Ohio and look forward to continued partnership with County Executive Ronayne and Cuyahoga County to bring more funding to our communities,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown.

“I am extremely grateful to Congresswoman Brown for continuing to make Cuyahoga County residents, and especially our region’s students, a priority,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne. “The Solar for Schools program, kicking off right here at Maple Heights High School, will not only promote renewable energy and efficiency for school districts, but it will also provide a daily example of environmental responsibility to the students within the walls of the school, which is paramount, as they are the future stewards of our natural world.”

The Solar for Schools program is further supported through a partnership between the County utility, Cuyahoga Green Energy, and the community financial institution, Growth Opportunity Partners. The County will subaward Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant funds in the amount of $95K to school districts to offset the costs of solar installations, along with a forgivable loan provided by The Growth Opportunity Partners of $50K per district. 

Also speaking at the event were Maple Heights High School Principal Dr. Markiel J. Perkins, Ed.D., Growth Opportunity Partners CEO Michael Jeans, and Cuyahoga County Interim Director of Sustainability Valerie Katz.

The school districts will own the solar systems and, as nonprofit entities, will be eligible to take advantage of the solar investment tax credits established through the Inflation Reduction Act’s Elective Pay Option. For more information on direct pay/elective pay, click here.

Through May of 2024, $12.1 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been announced for Ohio for 494 projects.

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