Missouri district is installing a solar array on school roofs

The Sarcoxie R-II (Mo.) district will begin installation this spring of a 911-kilowatt solar array project on the roofs of its schools.

About 2,025 solar panels will be installed on roofs of Wildwood Elementary and Sarcoxie Middle/High School, reports The Joplin Globe. 

District officials say the project could save the district more than $130,000 a year on its electric bill.

Sarcoxie Superintendent Phil Lewis estimates the district could save $4 million over the 30-year lifetime of its contract with Solera Energy, which is installing the panels.

About 80 school districts in Missouri have solar panels on their campuses, but the Sarcoxie installation will be the largest, the district says.