Hopes for big savings as the newly installed solar panels at the Bishop Elementary Schools were turned on Thursday.

In November 2008, Bishop voters approved a $3 million bond measure to install photovoltaic solar panels at the Elm St. and Pine St. Elementary Schools. The new panels were turned on Thursday and are already producing power at a rate of 238 kilowatts per hour, according to School Superintendent Barry Simpson.

The system is capable of producing up to 250 kilowatts per hour and will continue to make power until dark for the life of the panels. Were pretty excited, Simpson says.

The power is on, and in the next two months or so, Simpson says that Southern California Edison is set to install a meter to calculate the rebate checks for the school. Within 30 days after the meter is installed, Simpson says SCE will cut the first rebate check.

Between the rebates and the savings on power bills, Simpson expects the new solar panels to put $1 million back into the school district budget over the next five years.