The Northwest Career and Technical Academy will open this fall in a new building adjacent to the Skagit Valley College in Mt. Vernon.

In line with its role as a center for new technologies the building includes a large grid-tied solar electric system.

The system consists of 91 photovoltaic solar panels, or a total of 18.2 kilowatts, mounted on the metal roof. When more solar electricity is produced than the building is using it is sold back to Puget Sound Energy.

The system should provide a savings in electrical costs of more than $4,500 the first year and increasing amounts in future years as energy costs increase.

For more information contact Western Solar www.westernsolarinc.com.