The lights in 16 grade schools are not only shining brighter this school year, they’re shining in a more environmentally efficient and cost effective manner thanks to a $984,332 grant from the NJ Clean Energy Program.

The grant, drawn from an overall $6 million allotment, was aimed at encouraging the state’s public and private K-12 schools to replace outmoded T-12 fluorescent lighting with new T-8 energy efficient lighting.

The program, available on a first-come, first-served basis, covered up to the entire cost of the upgrades including materials, labor, permits, installation and disposal of the T-12 fixtures, said Donna Davidson, associate director of the diocesan Department of Catholic Schools.

Davidson said the upgrade has greatly enhanced the appearance and atmosphere inside the schools at no cost to the diocese and added: “Importantly, it’s anticipated that our schools will enjoy additional cost savings in their overall electric bills due to this upgrade.”

The diocese selected GreenTech Energy Services, Maple Shade, which filed applications on behalf of many schools throughout the state. Among those accepted were several dozen in the Trenton and Camden Dioceses.

The grant initiative was pursued by schools not only as a cost-saving measure but because studies have shown that good lighting is one of the parameters of school design which have a significant impact on student performance according to a release from GreenTech Energy Services.

And indeed, the atmosphere in the schools is reflecting a lot of energy and enthusiasm for the project.

In St. Catharine School, Spring Lake, the difference between the old and new lights was “literally like night and day,” said Rich Myer, the parish’s manager of buildings and grounds. “The old fixtures were unsightly, with cracked and yellowing lenses,” he said. “The new ones make everything brighter. As one of the children put it, ‘I can see now!’ This is an upgrade we’ve wanted to do for a long time, so the funding from the state was a real gift.”

The school’s principal, Mercy Sister Margo Kavanaugh, said there was a similar reaction from the parents and teachers. “The first time people walked into the school after the project was completed, they asked what was going on here because everything looked so much brighter and cleaner.”

“Our teachers go out of their way to create cheerful environments in their classrooms, and the new lighting has really enhanced their efforts,” Sister Margo said.

William Robbins, principal of St. Paul School, Burlington, said the new lighting has changed the appearance of the whole building. “We have one hallway that used to look like a cave,” Robbins said. “Now we can actually see the walls and realize how much they have yellowed over the years and how much they are in need of a new paint job.”

The light has significantly changed the look of his own office, Robbins said. “Teachers have been kidding me when they walk into my office, saying they need sunscreen. It’s wonderful – changes your whole attitude.”