The sun will soon be lighting up the Carlynton Junior/Senior High School building at 435 Kings Highway.
The Carlynton School Board approved the acceptance of a $1.05 million loan at 0% interest from the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) Solar for Schools Program by a unanimous vote at its Oct. 20 meeting.
Terms for the loan stipulate payments of equal monthly installments with no interest over 15 years. The loan will pay for the bulk of the costs to install a solar energy system atop the roof of Carlynton Junior/Senior High School.
The district’s total outlay for the project will come in at $1.411 million under the district’s financing plan — the $1.05 million PEDA loan, a $254,683 state grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development Solar for Schools Program, and $106,586 in district funding. 
District Superintendent John Kreider said the project is currently in the engineering, equipment procurement and permitting phase. Kreider said the district has received initial interconnection approval from Duquesne Light. In addition, Energy Independent Solutions (EIS Solar) is advancing the final engineering and permitting process.
Kreider said the district expects most of construction to occur during 2027, with the goal of having the system operating by late next summer. He said the exact start of construction and the length of time it will take to install the system will depend on the completion of engineering, permitting and coordination with the utility company.
In terms of energy production, Kreider said the planned solar array will consist of approximately 1,200 solar panels installed on rooftop areas of the Junior/Senior High School. Based on projections provided by EIS Solar, the system is expected to generate approximately 904,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually – or roughly 84% of the Junior/Senior High School’s estimated annual electricity consumption.
Kreider said actual production will depend on weather conditions, seasonal variations and system performance.
Kreider said the system will generate electricity rather than heat directly. The electricity produced will help power the building’s electrical systems, including lighting, air conditioning and other equipment that operates on electricity.
“Although the solar installation will not generate heat directly, it can offset electricity consumed by electrically powered heating equipment,” Kreider said.
He added that the project’s primary objective is to reduce the district’s long-term electricity expenses while investing in renewable energy infrastructure.
“We also anticipate opportunities to incorporate the solar installation into educational programming, allowing students to learn about renewable energy and monitor the system’s performance,” he said.
In other action, the board approved an expenditure not to exceed $70,267 for furniture for the Carnegie Elementary library, music room and STEAM room. STEAM is a multidisciplinary approach to teaching that combines science, technology, engineering, the arts and math into one unified teaching model . 
The furnishings will include new library shelving, bookcases, tables, student seating, storage cabinets, makerspace furniture, teacher desks and music chairs and stands.
The board approved payments for the ongoing Carnegie Elementary School additions and alterations project for September, totaling $540,463. The payments are for general construction, mechanical, plumbing and electrical work.
Student Senior Representative Jackson Keeney informed board members the Carlynton girls soccer team qualified for the WPIAL playoffs. The Cougars’ first game is set for 6 p.m. Monday at Avonworth High School against Steel Valley. Carlynton is seeded eighth in the Class 1A bracket and Steel Valley is ninth.
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