DELANO, Calif. -- The solar panel project is estimated to help save North Kern State Prison an estimated $75,000 a year. Although the project is in its initial stages, it’s a move to help California go green.

City council members established the recovery zone for the project Tuesday night but the second process that also needed to be approved was postponed until later this month.

City officials still need to authorize the sale of the bonds for about 9 million but officials say the project would not cost anything to the city. The money will be provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that was signed by President Barack Obama in February 2009. The bill is geared to help communities that are in need with an emphasis on renewable energy, technology deployment and job expansion.

“The purpose of this bill is to help distressed communities such as the city of Delano. We are experiencing high unemployment, down turn of sales tax and a number of foreclosures,” said Keith Woodcock, Community Development Director.

The panels would produce about the same amount of energy used in 210 homes. The installation and maintenance of the system would create and maintain 20 full time positions.

The project will use 15 acres, within the prison grounds. Construction could start by the end of this year or at the beginning of 2011.