Solar panels installed at 11 schools in New Haven, Conn.

New Haven, Conn., has installed rooftop solar arrays at 11 of its schools.

WTNH-TV reports that the solar panels will offset more than 2.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide each year. That is the equivalent of taking about 280 vehicles off the street.

Greenskies Renewable Energy installed and will maintain the panels. The schools that received solar arrays are Ross Woodward School, Benjamin Jepson School, Mauro-Sheridan School, East Rock School, Clinton Avenue School, Columbus Family Academy, Brennan Rogers School, James Hillhouse High School, Hill Regional Career High School, Wilbur Cross High School, and John S. Martinez School.

"The City of New Haven is proud about this installation of solar arrays, which will more than double its solar generation capacity to 2.8 megawatts," New Haven Mayor Toni N. Harp says. "It'll showcase the city's determination to lead by example, and provide for students at these 11 schools a hands-on lesson about how renewable power can save literally tons of carbon emissions each year."

New Haven will save on energy costs by buying power from the arrays at a discounted rate compared with traditional utility costs.