Bright Ideas Grants

The PG&E Solar Schools Program will award up to $500,000 in grants to schools with Bright Ideas. The program is designed to support the understanding of renewable energy in public schools throughout northern and central California.

Who Should Apply

Credentialed teachers/professors/instructors, principals/deans/department heads, and distinct administrators and facilities managers of K-12 public schools served by PG&E may all apply to receive a $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, or $10,000 grant to promote environmental stewardship in any of the five following categories.

  • Educational Solar Projects: Successful submissions will include innovative classroom and extracurricular programs/projects that explore the science of solar energy and the generation of electricity from solar.
  • Youth Energy and Environmental Programs: Successful submissions will include energy efficiency, recycling, composting, water reclamation and/or gardening programs and clubs that serve as learning and leadership opportunities for students, the faculty, and the community at large.
  • Renewable Energy or Science Related Field Trips: Successful submissions will include transportation, admission, or expenses associated with field trips that excite students about science, energy, careers in energy and the environment.
  • Green Your School Projects: Successful submissions will include energy efficiency upgrades, energy monitoring systems, and communication tools that will promote energy education and smart energy use at the school and in the community.
  • Professional Development/Service Learning Projects/ WorkforceDevelopment Programs: Successful submissions will include projects that expand the teacher's knowledge about renewable energy, energy resources and/or the future of the energy industry.

Grant Application

Register and submit grant application online

  • Spring Entries: Applications are due March 20. Winners will be announced in April.
  • Fall Entries: Applications are due September 20. Winners will be announced in October.

Bright Ideas Participant

"The PG&E Bright Ideas Grants Program has provided my students with equipment to enable them to learn in a fun and exciting way. It has provided the teachers of my school with curriculum and equipment to be able to teach in a fun and exciting way, as well…Bright Ideas has helped stretch a rather lean classroom budget, to provide activities to meet state math and science standards. The staff development has improved my teaching methods across the curriculum."

Mary Funk,
Burrel Elementary School

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