KENNEBUNK — A solar tracker has been installed at the Middle School of the Kennebunks, where it will be used to both offset electrical bills and educate students.

The solar tracker was provided by Solar Market Engineering in Arundel, an international solar firm that specializes in design, engineering, product assessment and more.

“We enjoy working locally with schools like MSK to supply long-term solar energy and educational opportunities for students,” said Naoto Inoue, owner of Solar Market Engineering. “This is the icing on the cake to be supplying an innovative, New England-made solar tracker for this project, a solar solution that will produce more energy from the sun and give the school greater energy benefits.”

The 6-kilowatt solar system will allow teachers to access real-time data that may be incorporated as a learning tool in the classroom.

“Weather data from the solar tracker can all be accessed online, so teachers can choose to use it as an educational tool in the classroom,” said Inoue. “Students will be able to grow up with solar panel education rather than grow up thinking this is a demonstration or experiment. These kids need to know that it’s absolutely possible to run everything with solar power.”

Five years ago, the school decided to use solar energy by installing a 5.5-kilowatt panel by the entrance to the gym. When that panel was damaged by excessive snow last winter, Principal Jeff Rodman and Inoue decided a new system would better fit the ever-changing needs of the school.

“There is a huge advantage to having a solar tracker, because it has a temperature sensor. It has the ability to dump collected snow that builds up on the panel, so it can never collapse,” said Inoue. “If wind speeds get above 35 mph for more than two minutes, it will go back to tracking once it slows down to an appropriate speed.”

The solar tracker is capable of tracking the sun throughout the day to maximize energy production. It was manufactured by AllEarth Solar in Williston, Vermont, and produces 30 percent more energy than a fixed ground-mounted system. In addition, 45 percent more energy is obtained than through rooftop system installations.

The school’s assistant maintenance supervisor, Bill Simpson, said maintenance crews had a hard time keep- ing up with the snow coverage on the older panel installation. Because the new ones can do it themselves, it will be much easier to handle, he said.

“I was meeting with a fence company the other day to estimate other costs, and all of a sudden, the panel started humming and turning toward the sun,” Simpson said. “It’s a great way for the students to see energy in action, and it’s even more beneficial that it’s developed enough to do its own maintenance.”

Other areas of York County, such as Dayton Town Hall and the Unitarian-Universalist church in Sanford, converted to solar energy a few years back, and continue to enjoy the benefits.

“Many of us talk a lot about our commitment to the environment and to conservation,” said Rev. Sue Gabrielson of the Sanford UU Church, where solar panels were installed in 2011 as part of the church’s 100th anniversary. “This project demonstrates that with creativity, passion and persistence, even a small committed congregation can actually help change the world.”

Jim Roberts, code enforcement officer for the town of Dayton, said switching to solar power was initially expensive, but has been more than worth it in the long run. He recommended going solar to anyone looking to live a greener lifestyle with big cost benefits over time.

“We obtained our solar panels a few years back after applying for a grant set-up of $85,000, and it has more than paid for itself,” said Roberts. “We pay $15 a month for heat in the winter. In the summer, there is so much excess electricity that it goes into a bank for surplus. It’s been an amazing change overall.”