This youth program plans to install 5,000 solar panels on 20 school roofs

The Philadelphia Solar Schools Initiative plans to install 5,000 solar panels on 20 school roofs, starting in 2014, according to a release.

Students at YouthBuild Charter School will design and install the panels, investors will finance the panels and students at those 20 schools will learn about green technology.

But first, green tech company Solar States needs help hiring a director for the program that’s currently run by volunteers. It’s raising $40,000 on Indiegogo until Dec. 27.

Donate here.

Solar States has been teaching 30 students at YouthBuild Charter School, the Francisville-based school for those who have dropped out, about sustainable business and green technology. It plans to train these students on how to design and install solar panels and then hire them to do the work for 20 local schools.

The South Kensington-based Solar States has also worked with Science Leadership Academy to develop a solar energy elective, PlanPhilly reported.

Read more on PlanPhilly and Newsworks.