BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — In a step toward sustainability and long-term cost savings, the Martin County School District has completed the installation of a solar panel array on the grounds of Martin County High School, a move officials estimate will save the district approximately $15,000 annually in energy costs.
With electricity prices in rural eastern Kentucky rising by an average of 10% per year, district leaders believe the investment could yield even greater savings over time.
“Every little bit helps and adds up over time,” said Superintendent Larry James, who has championed energy efficiency initiatives throughout the district.
The solar array, positioned behind the Martin County Area Technology Center (ATC), is strategically placed for both functionality and visibility. The location, James noted, also provides an opportunity to integrate solar power education into the ATC’s curriculum, a plan currently in development.
The project was made possible by $170,000 in donations that came through Edelen Ventures, Mountain Association and Savion LLC, and the Martin County Board of Education’s additional $200,000 investment to bring the project to completion.
The array became operational just over a month ago, and while a full cost-savings analysis has yet to be conducted, James expressed confidence that the initiative will prove to be a prudent investment.
The system is designed to power the school directly, meaning all electricity generated will be consumed on-site. The array does not currently include a battery storage system.
The solar project is part of the board of education’s effort to make Martin County High School a model of energy efficiency. The 132,000-square-foot facility was built with a geothermal heating and cooling system and is classified as zero-energy-ready. That means it is designed to be highly energy-efficient and capable of achieving net-zero energy consumption.
In September 2023, the high school earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR certification recognizing its superior energy performance. ENERGY STAR-certified buildings rank in the top 25% of energy-efficient buildings nationwide, assessed based on weather-normalized energy use, occupancy levels and operational hours.
James credited these advancements to the school board’s commitment to sustainability and thoughtful planning during the school’s design and construction phases.
“This was about making smart investments for our schools and our students,” James said. “We want to be good stewards of our resources while also preparing for the future of energy.