The state is installing more than 1,000 solar panels on one of its downtown office buildings to reduce Hawaii’s dependence on imported oil.

Gov. Linda Lingle’s office says the panels should reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 500,000 pounds each year.

The $2.9 million project is being paid for with federal economic stimulus funds and a U.S. Energy Department grant.

Lingle said in a news release Thursday the panels are expected to be in place on the Kalanimoku Building in February.

The building houses the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Accounting and General Services.