Attention Area School Boards: How to save Taxpayers dollars*

The 17,000-student Ocean County school district has solar panels on seven of its school buildings. Ritacco said voters approved the $20 million referendum in 2005 by a 2-to-1 margin.

Converting sunlight into energy, solar panels have shaved about 10 percent off Toms River\’s utility costs. The district can sell excess energy that it doesn\’t need, using solar renewable energy credits. Superintendent Ritacco said the Toms River system generates $1 million in revenue a year.

At least a half-dozen school districts if not many more have successfully installed solar panels, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association. Schools in Branchburg, Hainesport, Montclair and Margate all have solar panels.