Gov. Linda Lingle has released $500,000 for the construction of a solar power system at Lanikai Elementary Public Charter School.

Photovoltaic panels will be installed on the cafeteria roof as part of the system that is expected to reduce the school’s electricity cost by about $45,000 per year, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

Work on the project is scheduled to completed by the spring of 2011. The project is part of the state’s goal of generating 70 percent of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030.