The future is looking a little brighter for students at G.P. Vanier.
Solar BC awarded students a $20,000 grant for panels this month, making this the fourth school in the district to tap into solar energy.
Twenty-five solar panels will go up this month and generate about 5,000 watts of electricity or enough to power lights in the school's main gym.
"The school is trying to create a sustainable gym, that's what this was designed for," said Fred McGregor, manager of energy conservation for the Comox Valley School District.
"In the process students will track output and learn what the technology means … and get an idea of just how hard it is to create new energy. It's much easier to conserve and waste less."
Steve Knight, vice-principal at Vanier Secondary, said students and teachers are looking forward to more hands on learning. Physics and engineering students will monitor how much power the panels are producing as a way of understanding the benefits of alternative energy.
"This will make learning more real to students, while helping us reduce our energy consumption," he said.
The solar panels will save the district about $2,000 annually.
Vanier is not the first school to cut down on energy with solar panels. Huband Park Elementary, Mark R. Isfeld and Highland Secondary have all tacked panels onto roofs this year.
McGregor says this is only the start.
Next fall the school district will run a contest to see which two schools can conserve the most energy during the fall semester. The winners will receive solar panel prizes.
"Solar energy could very well be the way of the future … but for now we do this one school at a time as we get the grants," he said.