Renovations at Independence Middle School in Bethel Park apparently include a much-needed new roof.

“We are encountering more and more problems and need to address some of them with increasing urgency,” said Barry Christenson, chairman of the school board.

To potentially help finance the project, district officials are considering applying for grants through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Solar for Schools program.

“Maybe there’s a way to use a program like this to cover some of the cost of roof repairs,” Christenson said during the board’s Aug. 6 committee meeting. “That’s why we’re looking into this, not because we’re planning to spend a ton of money just to go solar.”

He cited a recommendation from HDG Architects, the Robinson-based firm working with the county on the Independence project.

“They said we would need to have a preliminary study done by some technical experts in the field of solar power and solar energy before they would suggest we apply for the grant,” said Superintendent James Walsh.

One goal of the analysis will be to answer questions such as: “Is this really a suitable location for a solar field?” and “What kind of infrastructure changes would be necessary to make this possible?”

“The study is paid for and takes a short amount of time. Then they tell you the results and what you can expect, both in terms of upfront costs and the payback costs of going forward,” Walsh told school board members.

A board meeting to vote is scheduled for August 26. Christenson suggested that leaders could learn about the availability of free counseling resources in advance.

He said Duquesne Light Co. helped the district prepare to add electric buses to its fleet after Bethel Park was selected to receive $2 million in federal grants to purchase 10 “clean” vehicles.

In July, the state parliament approved the “Solar for Schools” funding program with cross-party support.

The program will fund up to 50 percent of project construction costs with state funds, said Democratic Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler of Philadelphia, who sponsored the Solar for Schools bill. Federal funds from the Inflation Reduction Act would cover 30 to 50 percent of the remaining installation costs, with school districts required to pay no more than 20 percent, plus operating and maintenance costs.