Western Reserve School District installs 400 solar panels

BERLIN CENTER

Nearly 400 solar panels line the roof of the Western Reserve Schools complex and are expected to cut down on the school district’s energy costs, provide educational opportunities for students and benefit the environment.

Valley Energy Solar of Salem earned a $100,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Energy for America Program grant to cover about 25 percent of the project cost. There is no cost to the school district.

“Western Reserve is setting a benchmark for not only other school districts, but for residents to follow,” said Erin Quinlan of Valley Energy Solar.

Officials unveiled the system at a Thursday morning news conference.

Read more about the plan and new system in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.