Submitted by Lopez Island School District

The Community Solar installation at Lopez School is complete and the new solar panels will be supplying 9.9 kilowatts of electricity to the school ongoing. In addition they will contribute as a real life technology project for Lopez students to observe and study. The panels reside on the top of the gym’s south-facing roof. The school board formally accepted the installation at last week’s monthly board meeting.

More than 70 contributors invested or donated a total of $35,000 to purchase and install the panels. Those investing will receive approximately a 10 percent payback per year and the school will receive the electricity generated for free. After ten years investor principal will have been returned and the school will own the panels outright.

The school wishes to thank the San Juan Islands Conservation District for leading this effort. As well it wishes to thank the many Lopez community members who publicized the program, held fundraising events, and of course the many who contributed financially.