New Orleans - It's being touted as the largest solar installation in Louisiana and it's on the roof of Warren Easton High School. Through a private/public partnership, students are not only going green, they are learning science hands-on from the roof.
Regine Meridy and her friends are excited about the new solar panels installed on the roof of their school.
"I have some interest in saving the environment because it's a better way not to spend money and save and stuff," Meridy said.
Entergy, Nike, Winrock, and other agencies teamed up to make a difference in New Orleans through the New Orleans Solar School Initiative.
The purpose is to conserve energy and give students a first hand learning experience in science. Bringing it to Warren Easton first, holds a lot of meaning.
The word S.O.S. is still written on this roof, a reminder of people waiting to be rescued after Katrina. Now the roof has become a symbol of renewed hope.
"To come back and to witness, I guess symbolically the progress on this location, the oldest high school in the city, we're talking about a look into the future with solar power, it's a very proud moment for me personally," said Entergy CEO Rod West.
The solar panels across this rooftop, absorb sunlight.
"And converts the sunlight directly into electricity which can move along the panel and into wires and then directly into your power source," said Mary Harris of Winrock International.
Energy officials says this solar roof can generate enough energy every year to power three average American homes, and save the school more than $4,000 years on energy costs annually.
For Regine Meridy, this also means a great way to learn science first hand.
"I want to learn how they save energy and how much money we can save and what they'll do to affect the world and the big impact," Meridy said.
And fueling imaginations is just what leaders of this initiative hope will shine with this solar project.
Plans are being made to bring this initiative to other high schools in New Orleans.
