Silver Dollars and Wooden Nickles: Solar array will save dollars

The Nevada Appeal's "Silver Dollar" and "Wooden Nickel" feature recognizes positive achievements from the capital region and, when warranted, points out others that missed the mark.

SILVER DOLLAR: To the first of five solar projects under way in the Carson City School District. The 60,000-square foot solar array project at Seeliger Elementary School was the first to be finished. The nearly $11 million installation cost will be reduced to $975,000 after rebates from the power company, officials said. About 195,000 square feet of solar arrays are planned at five sites throughout the district. In addition to Seeliger, arrays will be built at Eagle Valley Middle, Carson High, Fritsch Elementary and Carson Middle schools. School officials estimate the school district will save $400,000 in energy costs annually.

WOODEN NICKEL: To gas prices, which earlier this week reached a national average price of $3.95 a gallon. The national average is now the highest price since July 2008. The average is up more than $1.04 from this time last year. With Memorial Day weekend on the horizon, we hope that gas prices go against history and dip during the summer.

SILVER DOLLAR: To Dick Campagni's Capital Ford, which donated $6,000 to the Carson High Safe Grad on Monday. The Safe Grad program started in 1988, and offers activities for the Class of 2011 on the night after graduation, including a trip to Six Flags amusement park the following day. The cost of this year's event is expected to be around $40,000. So far the group has collected more than $25,000. You can help by donating to the Carson High Safe Grad Committee at P.O. Box 486, Carson City, NV 89702.