Lowry ‘going green’ with installation of solar panels

Lowry ‘going green’ with installation of solar panels

By Jaren Cornwall Posted April 20, 2011

In this time of economic depression, it takes a great amount of money to keep a school up and running. A large part of keeping Lowry High operational is having the lights on and the water running, so it makes sense that the school has taken an initiative to supplement Lowry’s power needs and costs with solar energy.

The large metal structures near the football field that have been erected and pieced together are solar panels. These solar panels will help the school with its power costs and pay for themselves in a short period of time.

“I understand that in less than five years we should have recouped that money, and then after that, it just decreases our operating costs,” said Lowry principal Deborah Watts about the subject.

The initiative began when a local power company contacted the Humboldt County School District to find out if the schools would be interested in the savings offered by solar energy. The district, in turn, presented the idea to the principals of HCSD schools.

Solar panels at Lowry were installed in January and February. /Jaren Cornwall • The Brand
Solar panels at Lowry were installed in January and February. /Jaren Cornwall • The Brand

Mrs. Watts was more than happy to “go green.”

“The district office contacted each of the principals to see if we were interested, and of course we are because we want to save money so that we can keep teaching positions and supplies for students,” commented Mrs. Watts on receiving the “solar panel offer.”

This was an attractive idea for the district, and the schools, because schools can get federal grants to help with the costs of the installation and implementation of solar panels. And if there is one thing you can count on, it is that the schools are saving money and the district is saving money.

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