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Solar Holler said in an email, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œOur installation teams are currently installing 383 solar panels on the roof of the school. Out of the gate, the school will save $4600 annually on its utility bills. However, under AEPÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s proposed rate increase, CK Elementary would save over $9000/year.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWith solar offsetting a portion of their power bill, the school is protecting itself from rate hikes next year ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” and for the next 35 years,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� the email continued. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWhen community organizations install solar, they not only decrease their power bill and steady their costs ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” but also get to focus their resources on their core work. In this case, energy savings turns into stronger educational opportunities for our kids.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Alexander said C-K Elementary is the first school in Wayne County whose roof is receiving the solar panels in connection with agreements between Wayne County Schools and Solar Holler, who the school district agreed to let place solar panels on its structuresÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ rooftops for no installation cost ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œand in turn, we purchase energy from those solar panels at a guaranteed reduced rate ... from the current utility rate.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Alexander said new facilities or newer roofs will be targeted first for the installation of the solar panels, with those installations expected to take about a year. He said he thinks the project could take multiple years, as some roofs would need to be replaced before solar panels were installed.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe are gonna try to do solar collection at as many sites as possible to maximize our savings,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Alexander said.

He said all district facilities will be considered for solar panel installation, including administrative offices.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThe reason that we reached the agreement with Solar Holler, (is) we knew it would benefit the local economy by using a local business, and at the same time, we were able to generate utility savings for ourselves,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Alexander said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll be able to turn around and use those funds to upgrade facilities or to provide for student programming or even possibly for personnel costs.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

The preliminary estimate is that when the solar panels for the entire district are installed, they will save Wayne County Schools approximately $300,000 a year in utility costs, he said.