WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita-area high school is operating one of the largest privately-owned solar power systems in Kansas and hopes to generate enough energy in one day to power the school for a month.

Maize High School on Tuesday switched on a 240-kilowatt system, which has 720 solar panels, is 400 feet long and 75 feet wide, and is next to the school, The Wichita Eagle reported .

Science teacher Stan Bergkamp pushed for the project, in part to react to the threat of climate change. He estimates that once the system is paid for, it will save the school $3,200 a month and reduce annual car...