Liberty-Eylau ISD Energy Efficiency And Renewable Energy Project

An East Texas school is using the sun to save money and conserve energy.

Liberty-Eylau Independent School District recently received a state grant to fund an energy efficiency and renewable energy project.

Solar panels and new lighting for the gymnasiums are just the beginning for Liberty-Eylau's plans to save energy and money.

Sustainable Services of Texarkana, Texas installed the two solar panels on the LE campus and replaced nearly 100 lights.

Owner Hank Bergt says the school will beneift greatly from the cost savings.

"Part of this grant is not only to help reduce that overall usage but also to help educate the students on energy efficiency and renewable energies," said Bergt.

In the classroom, energy curriculum is also being provided through the grant.

He says just by making simple changes, students and their families can make a difference.

"I've learned that it's important to save energy and everyone can benefit from saving energy not just one person," said Kendall Brown.

"We're very wasteful, and we don't even realize it, just like turning off the lights whe you leave a room, you can so much energy and money," said Brandi Brown.

The new gym lights are expected to help the district save about $3,000 a year.

The solar panels should produce about $50 dollars a month in energy for the district's administration building.

All Liberty-Eylau campuses are now planning to participate in energy saving competition.