LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Ni'ihau's only school has become the state's first solar-powered educational institution.

Ni'ihau Island School, with an enrollment of about 30 students, only had generators in the past. That made it hard to keep fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat, fish and poultry on hand.

Most meals consumed by staff and students were prepared from dry and canned goods.

Computers were not always available and only battery- or generator-operated electronic teaching aids could be used.

Since it installed a 10.4-kilowatt photovoltaic system with battery storage, however, it's been able to use a refrigerator and high-technology products.

The total cost for the entire system was $207,000.

Most of the money, about $150,000, was provided by a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant for rural communities.

The county and the state Department of Education also contributed funds.

Ni'ihau Ranch provided services, including the construction of a concrete battery building and the building of a stone wall that serves as a windbreak for the solar cells.

"When partnerships are formed for the benefit of others, a lot can be accomplished," Mayor Bryan Baptiste said.

"We're very pleased that Ni'ihau Island School is now equipped with a power system that will help improve the health and nutrition of the students and staff and upgrade educational opportunities for the students," Baptiste said.

The ranch has long wanted to make the entire island energy self-sufficient, Bruce Robinson, co-owner of the company and the island, has said.

"A special thanks goes to the Ni'ihau parents and students who put so much effort into this project, along with all the other contributors," Robinson said.

Kaua'i County will retain ownership of the system for approximately 10 years, and the DOE will be responsible for maintaining the system.

The privately owned island off the west coast of Kaua'i has only about 160 residents.

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