Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Our spring member drive has ended, but it's not too late to give. You have the power to help fund the essential journalism that keeps us all informed. Help us close the gap on our spring fundraising goal! GIVE NOW

Solar Power Benefits Local High School

today.lbl.gov
Solar panels are popping up around Utah's homes and also Utah's Schools.

A new solar panel array was turned on this week at Cottonwood High School in Murray, Utah. The school joins more than 100 Utah organizations that received funding from Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky renewable energy program.

According to Dan Dotson, energy management specialist for Granite School District, there is a large benefit when the school district saves money on energy.

“What happens is, all of our operations for our power bills comes out of the general budget. And the general budget pays our teachers, buys our school books takes care of our buildings, all that sort of things," Dotson said. "So absolutely it would buy more textbooks and everything else our teachers need.”

Although this is the first high school, several junior highs and one elementary school in the district already use solar panels. Dotson said it gives students a chance to become familiar with technology that we will continue to see in the future.

“A part of our mission as a school district obviously is to educate our kids and provide a space for them to learn and give them tools that they can move into the future," Dotson said. "And so this is a great way for us to get some solar on one of our schools that is close enough that the kids know it’s there. And also they’ll be able to get more familiar with it because in the future I think it’s going to be much more prevalent.”

Displays in the hallway will allow students to see how the solar energy is being used in their school.