The Plymouth Community Schools are harnessing the power of the sun.

The school system invested more than $1 million in solar power, and they say its paying off. WSBT reports that the 2.5 acres of solar panels sitting behind Riverside Intermediate school have been creating energy since they were set up and switched on in February.

Another acre and a half went online a month earlier at Washington Discovery Academy.

The solar arrays help power the schools and were inspired by solar arrays that Superintendent Mitchell Manwhorter had seen working at other school districts. The panels are away from foot travel areas and surrounded by wildflowers and other plants.