By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Lots of property means lots of utility costs. USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton recently attended a breakout session regarding solar energy at the Kansas Association of School Boards meeting. Monday evening, he shared information with the board of education about placing solar panels on select Great Bend schools.
"I know there's been a lot of discussion in our community and our surrounding area, but more of the commercial side," he said. "This would actually be panels that would be affixed to our roofs."
Hutton, with several locations in Kansas, presented information to districts about the benefits of using solar energy. Kansas ranks sixth in the nation for average peak sunshine hours. Among the 12 states surrounding Kansas and to the south, Kansas is second only to Colorado for the most expensive electric energy. Thexton said utilizing panels at the Great Bend Middle School, Panther Athletic Center west of the high school, and the District Education Center could benefit the district.
"When you look at those opportunities, it would be one of those where we wouldn't be fully reliant upon solar, but we could use that to offset our cost for utilities," he said. "That money could be used in other ways to be spent in the district."
The board agreed more research was needed to determine how solar panels would impact insurance premiums. At no cost to the district, Hutton will help USD 428 determine if solar panels are a good fit for the district.