Missouri Military Academy is the first school in Missouri to run on solar power, and it's doing that at its building Barnard Hall. A computer system runs the whole building from light sensors to temperature and moisture.

If need be, Barnard Hall can run on a gas back-up system throughout the night and cloudy weather.

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and certification is the recognized measurement for building sustainability.

Major General Robert Flanagan works at the Missouri Military Academy.

"This is the right time in our country," Flanagan said. "We have some energy issues, and we've had them for a long time. I feel it is the right course for a school to go. I believe that we should lead by our example."

The new energy-efficient building cost the school $8.4 million. The school plans to break even after 12 years and will save money every year after that.

"It's the first green building in Missouri, so it's a big thing," student Luis Gonzalez said. "It's a very nice building. It's a nice investment from people that actually, you know, actually know what the school's about."

Flanagan said the school plans to add at least one more environmentally-efficient building in the near future.