AUSTIN, Texas — Sixteen more Austin ISD campuses are expected to get solar panels, thanks to money from the federal government.
KVUE's partners at the Austin American-Statesman report that the project – which could cost up to $15 million, funded by a U.S. Department of Energy grant – is meant to reduce costs and the district's carbon footprint, while also educating students on energy efficiency.
Austin ISD is the only school district in Texas to receive the grant, and only 24 districts were chosen nationwide.
District leaders hope the panels will save Austin ISD $1.2 million in energy costs each year. Right now, the district spends around $20 million on energy every year.
Austin ISD already has solar panels at more than a dozen campuses, and the district said it will prioritize campuses in historically marginalized communities for the new grant.
To learn more, read the Statesman's full report.