As the world moves on to more renewable forms of energy, our school is falling behind.

With renewable energy costing less than ever, many students have wondered why the school has not implemented more solar panels, especially in our parking lots.

For example, Prospect High installed solar panel overhangs in the parking lot in 2012, providing shade for the cars parked under them and clean power for the school ever since.

If the school added solar panels in the front lot like Prospect, it would solve a multitude of problems as well as aid the fight in mitigating pressing environmental changes.

Undoubtedly, the most direct benefit of solar panels for students is the cover they provide from the sun. Seniors and juniors who have their cars parked in the front lot would no longer have to worry about a hot car when they drive home after school.

Furthermore, solar panels would save money currently being spent on the school’s electrical bills and could potentially earn money by selling extra energy back. According to energysage.com, it often takes a little over seven years for solar panels to pay themselves off. Despite the somewhat high price tag of installing panels, in reality, the money spent is not money wasted, but rather an investment.  

Lastly, solar panels provide a “green” form of energy that does not further contribute to rising levels of greenhouse gases.

The school spend $12 million on the new music building, and it will no doubt provide many benefits for the hundreds of kids involved in music. But for me, investing in something like solar that would benefit even more students and be cheaper seems like a better idea.

The school’s priorities seem to be a little bit skewed, considering the many benefits of solar panels. Although the school has experienced positive changes as it has remodeled, the process of installing solar panels in the parking lots should not  be left indefinitely on the back burner.