Solar farm to help offset energy demand of four PPS schools
April 16, 2026
A new solar farm planned for a former industrial site in Swisshelm Park is set to generate enough renewable energy to offset the entire electricity demand of four Pittsburgh Public Schools. The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh recently approved a 25-year lease agreement for the project, which represents a significant step in the district's efforts to embrace sustainable energy and reduce operational costs. The initiative is expected to save Pittsburgh Public Schools more than $2.6 million in electricity expenses over the duration of the lease.
The project will see the development of a 15-acre solar array on a property located at 1096 Goodman Street. This site, a former brownfield that once served as a slag heap for the steel industry, is being repurposed in a way that provides both environmental and economic benefits. The land, which the URA has controlled since 1972, has undergone extensive remediation with support from a federal brownfield cleanup grant. The transformation of this once-polluted land into a "brightfield" for solar energy production is seen as a powerful example of regional renewal given Pittsburgh's industrial history.
The four schools that will have their energy needs met by the solar farm are Allderdice High School, Minadeo PreK-5, Greenfield PreK-8, and Linden K-5. The development partner for the project is the Capital Good Fund, a Community Development Financial Institution, which was connected with the URA through the Pennsylvania Solar Center, a nonprofit focused on solar development. While the URA has approved the land lease, the next step involves a separate power purchase agreement that will need to be finalized between the school district and Capital Good Fund for the procurement of the electricity.
This initiative aligns with broader statewide efforts to promote renewable energy in educational settings. Programs like Solar for Schools have been created to help districts across Pennsylvania invest in solar power, aiming to lower energy costs, reduce carbon emissions, and provide educational opportunities for students in the green economy. By converting an underutilized and environmentally challenged property into a source of clean power, the project also supports the city of Pittsburgh's climate action goals.
With the lease agreement now in place, construction on the solar farm is anticipated to begin and be completed in 2028. The development plan includes measures to minimize disruption to the surrounding neighborhood and preserve park land near the site. The successful completion of this project will not only provide a long-term, stable source of energy for the four schools but also serve as a model for how public-private partnerships can repurpose former industrial lands for a sustainable future.
Source: postgazette