The Meridian Public Schools Board of Trustees tabled a plan Monday to conduct a feasibility study for use of solar panels in the district.

The feasibility study would have been conducted by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Foundation.

The foundation would have provided a $5,000 grant to hire an engineer to conduct a study of the site before proceeding with the project. Clay Sims, director of operations, said the whole project would cost around $250,000. The grant is made possible through a program through Mississippi Power to raise awareness about renewable energy.

“They will provide a small amount of money for the district to be able for the district to look into installing a solar facility that will help offset some energy costs,” Sims said.

Gary Houston, president of the board of trustees, said the board liked the idea of having the study but needed more time to become familiar with information before making a decision.

“I think there are still questions that are out there for some of the board members,” Houston said.

Superintendent Amy Carter said she agrees with the board’s decision and saw it as an opportunity to explore options. The district will do research and see if it is something it can do in the future, she said.

Sims said the grant would have also compensated the district two-thirds ($100,000) of engineering services to design and install the project. Once designed the district would then advertise the project for bids. The GCCF would have also provided an additional $30,000 for a ground-based facility related to renewable energy to be installed on school property for students and faculty to use.

Sims also said the GCCF would have also provided assistance from their selected engineering firm Loxley Hawk. The study and the cost to install the equipment would not be a cost to the district, Sims said.

A proposed site could have been at Ross Collins Career and Technical Education Center because of the engineering courses that are offered at the center, Sims said. Rob Smith, director of the school, said it would be a great idea for students because it would give them hands-on experience with renewable energy.

Sims said the goal of the study is to help save energy cost in the district and to maybe have other solar panels at different sites in the district.

“I’d love to see that come to pass in the future,” Sims said.

The topic will be brought up sometime in the future during a school board meeting.