It's Happening in Solardad

If you haven't noticed by now, the whole student parking lot has turned into a construction zone. The approval of building solar panels was approved last August by the school board, and now construction is underway. This is the first solar panel project in the Soledad School District.

Once the solar panels are up and running, it is said that the panels will save the district $4 million dollars in energy costs. The panels are estimated to generate more than 745,000 kWh of clean electric energy. This amount of energy would be about the same as eliminating an estimate of 257 tons of greenhouse gases. Students will be able to monitor how much energy is being produced by the panels in a kiosk that is to be located within the school.

In addition to saving energy, the solar panels will be a great help during the warmer months. The panels were designed large enough so they will cover staff and student vehicles, so the sun will heat the panels rather than their cars. No more getting into overheated cars after school every day. All of that sunshine will finally be put to good use.

Photo provided by soledadusd.org