According to Providence Business News, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management was recently awarded $1.5 million that will be used to install solar panels at nine of its facilities, which will be mounted of existing roof structures.

“These solar arrays illustrate how properly-sized renewable energy projects can work at a wide range of publicly-owned sites," Janet Coit, director of the DEM, told the news source. "The technology is proven and will result in lower electrical bills for the state for many years to come."

The news source reported the solar panels meet the requirement of the Buy American Act and will be connected to the state's energy grid.

Installation of the solar panels is expected to begin in the near future and will be completed some time in February, said the news source.

Schools in Rhode Island are also being outfitted for green energy improvements, said Providence Business News.

The Rhode Island Renewable energy fund will fund renewable energy improvements at up to 53 public high schools and career technical centers in the state, said the news source.