A group of juniors are attempting to bring solar panels to St. George’s in order to positively affect the environment as part of an honors biology exam project.

Because the group wants to find a way to help the environment as well as the school, the group decided to focus on solar energy.

“We noticed that the school used so much energy that the utility bills were 20 grand per month for the academic buildings alone, which is a lot of money,” junior Carlos Rivera-Peraza said. “We started contacting solar panel companies and found one that responded.”

Biology teacher Mr. Sam Abrams is proud of his students and the work they have completed so far.

“The group, consisting of Carlos Rivera-Peraza, Connor Lambert, Luke Georgi, Sid Martin, Davis Irving, Steven Smith and Mac Clark, have really been spearheading it,” Mr. Abrams said. “I think it is amazing that they are taking the initiative and are so fired up about it.”

Lightway, the company based in California the students contacted, is dedicated to expanding the clean energy movement.

“We are confident in the future of solar industry and aim to maximize the social, environmental and economical benefits our business creates,” the Lightway company states.

Mr. Abrams has high hopes that the relationship with Lightway will be beneficial.

“The people they have been talking to are really interested,” Mr. Abrams said. “They have been asking lots of questions about where they could be put, and I believe they will come check out some locations sooner rather than later.”

The group of students have even found resourceful ways to fund the solar panels.

“If it is small enough, the government will pay us back for every kilowatt of energy we use, so therefore, we would get money back and that would pay for the solar panels,” Rivera-Peraza said. “Another option is third party investors. We would lease them part of the roof, and they would buy the solar panels and put them there. They can technically say they went green and would get tax credits.”