Solar panels have been increasing in popularity recently. Recently, Pioneer Valley decided to install solar panels in the student parking lot. By doing so, they are promoting and keeping a cleaner environment for our community and other schools in the district have installed them as well. Currently, the solar panels have not yet been fully installed, but it is expected to be completed by then end of this month.

Additionally, the schools will be saving money from their electricity payment every month which is estimated to be around 25% less than what they currently pay.

“Installing solar panels will save the High School District money as we will be paying less each month for electricity. This will allow us to use that money in different ways to benefit the student body,” explained Marc Brogoitti, the district’s Energy Manager.

Solar panels are famous for promoting a healthier environment by using solar energy from the sun in order to provide energy for thousands of people. According to the National Geographic, sunlight hits the cells implanted in the panels, electrons start detaching themselves from their atoms, and thus generating electricity as the electrons flow throughout the cells. Solar panels and their energy do not emit carbon dioxide which is very helpful to this Earth as we emit as much as 30.2 billion metric tons of energy-related carbon dioxide into the world.

“The electricity generated by the solar panels will displace the electricity supplied by the traditional electricity provider, PG&E,” said Brogoitti.

Moreover, the public’s health also benefits from the solar panels as renewable energy improves it. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, things such as coal and natural gas produce pollution in the air and water. Fossils fuels require a sufficient amount of water resources, thus polluting large amounts of our water while solar powered things require little to no water at all. Also, at some point fossil fuels will start running out and so the price will constantly be changing and rising. Meanwhile, the sun is infinite so consider looking into solar panels if you like saving money and the environment.