The Belen and Los Lunas school districts were each awarded a $300,000 solar grant that is expected to include educational opportunities as well as substantial energy savings over time.

The funds awarded to the Belen and Los Lunas school districts are part of a statewide $4.5 million grant, and for a 50-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system to help offset energy costs and provide students with learning opportunities. The system will consist of flat panels and can be mounted on rooftops or poles.

Los Lunas and Belen were among 15 districts who received the grant, which is from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The grant application required districts to submit a curriculum of how they would teach students about solar and why renewable energy was important to the district.

"I'm very excited that we were selected," said Los Lunas School Superintendent Bernard Saiz. "In these economic times, we definitely need all the help we can get. Utilities is one of our biggest expenses."

Students who are enrolled in engineering and architecture classes at Los Lunas High School will survey, measure and develop plans for the site of the system.

In Belen, the system will likely be placed at the Career Academy, where students are also enrolled in engineering classes.

The Valencia County districts survived the nine question application process and a committee comprised of the New Mexico Public Education Department and the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department to garner funds for the project.

Ryan Helton, solar program manager for the project, said districts will use software to track how much electricity is used to determine how much each district will save. Each system is expected to be installed by December 2010. Helton said districts can choose from a variety of solar providers around the state.

"They did one heck of a proposal," said Belen school board member Julian Luna of his district's application. "All we had to do was get it out there. This is a thing of the future and this is probably the first step in saving a heck a lot of the money for the district."

Frank Ortega, director of maintenance for the Belen school district, said he received an estimate from a local solar company and expects to save about $400,000 in utility costs over the first 20 years. The estimate said the system would reduce greenhouse gases by more than 100 tons per year ― an effect that would amount to almost 4,000 tons in about 35 years.

Belen Schools Curriculum Director Geneva Nixon said the solar curriculum could be part of a six-week elective course that links science classes with renewable energy.

The class would teach students the importance of utilizing alternative forms of energy. She said she's hopeful the course could be eventually be offered regularly to students at Belen's Career Academy and generate student interest in an alternative career choice.

"I don't know what an entry level job would look like in solar energy," Nixon said. "But I tell you, we are going to find out."