School District 51 has been making an effort to conserve energy wherever possible. Last year it decided to add solar panels to seven schools. High Noon Solar won the bid and started work on the project last month.

The Dual Immersion Academy is the first school to start constructing solar panels on the roof. High Noon Solar started construction on the roof last Friday. While they're just on the starting phases of work, students and community members are taking notice and are embracing the new technology.

It's a win-win partnership.

"We own the solar system and it's on their roof. And we get to take the tax credits," High Noon Solar owner Heidi Ihrke said.

High Noon Solar will build the panels on School District 51 rooftops.

"[We'll be] leasing our roof space in exchange for the purchase of clean renewable power that High Noon is going to be providing with their solar systems," District 51 energy manager Eric Anderson said.

The school district will buy the power back at a reduced rate, not to mention no tax dollars will go into the purchase of the solar systems.

"The money that'll be saved, we're estimating is going to be about $100,000 with both phases of the schools," Anderson said.

The phase one schools include the Dual Immersion Academy and Career Center. Phase two schools have not yet been decided.

"It would be nice to think that somewhere down the road we'd do more projects like this," Anderson said.

Already District 51 is finding students want to know more about the solar panels.

"[A fourth grade class was] aware as soon as High Noon's trucks started to pull up. And they're asking for a presentation on solar," Anderson said.

Since a solar example is right on their rooftop, it became an added learning opportunity.

"[Students] have access to a data monitoring unit that'll be online, so they can see how much power the system is actually producing daily, monthly, even yearly," Ihrke said.

"[The solar system will be] making an opportunity for these students to learn what's solar energy and how we use it in these buildings," Anderson added.

This new project has also produced new jobs for workers in the community.

Colorado can bask in over 300 days of sunshine a year.

"It's an easy choice for people to make residentially, commercially and even our non-profit and government entities," Ihrke said.

So solar, whether at school or home, seems to be a smart choice.

The Dual Immersion Academy was a perfect candidate for solar panels. It is a fairly small building and has a wide open roof which gives it plenty of space for panels. Once the solar panels are installed at this school,100 percent of the building's power will come from the roof.
The only other confirmed building to receive solar panels is the Career Center. District 51 is also considering other schools including Redlands, Mt. Garfield and Grand Mesa middle schools, and Rocky Mountain and Bookcliff elementary schools.