:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/XBZOLBVXT5CMXNXQVB2NTFLKWM.jpg "Highland Schools Solar Panel Program to Save District Millions")
The Highlands School will soon be powered by solar power, which district leaders hope will save millions in energy costs in the long run.
The Highland District 5 School Board has voted to award GRP Inc. $5.7 million to install solar panels on all primary school buildings.
Superintendent Mike Sutton said the savings in the district's electric bills would pay off the debt in full within nine years without any impact on the district budget, tax breaks or refunds.
"When we look at each building's ability to pay for its solar power in less than 10 years, we're looking at savings of more than $2 million after that's paid off," Sutton said.
While financial savings was the primary goal, Sutton said it was an environmentally friendly move.
Alhambra, Grantfork and Highland High Schools will have solar panels installed on the ground, and solar panels will be installed on rooftops. The preschool is not included in the project because it will be demolished in the near future, and the new elementary school cannot be included yet because the school district does not know exactly what the entrance will be used for. Sutton said they need to see it in action for a few years before determining the most efficient solar system.
Running a solar project in the Highlands is a bit different than most cities because the city is run by the Highland Electricity Utility.
Working with Ameren, Sutton said that if the solar system produces more energy than the building needs, Ameren will buy it back. But Highland has no such program, so they designed the school's solar program to provide enough power for the buildings.
"It's just the right size to meet our highest billing capacity," Sutton said.
Sutton said the solar system will heat up in 2-3 months. Meanwhile, the construction project funded as a result of the latest referendum is in progress. The Highland Elementary School project has an area of 88,896 square feet and is expected to cost $6.3 million this month. The recruitment process for the high school is "going at full speed," Sutton said, and preparations are underway.
"The only work that hasn't been done yet is the renovation of the primary school because it is still in the design phase," said Sutton.
The estimated cost of the redevelopment project is approximately $42 million, with additional financing from interest income and other sources, including local funds. As the solar project is expected to be self-financed, it is not part of the review plan.
