Geothermal wells, solar panels and maybe a wind turbine, too.

Indian River Central School District's use of alternative energy sources to cut costs was a big topic of discussion at Thursday night's Board of Education meeting.

The district is conducting a solar energy feasibility study, Business Manager James R. Koch announced. The board also committed $2,500 to pursue a wind energy feasibility study.

"Whether or not there's enough sun is the big question," Mr. Koch said. "It's about how we can feed back into the grid and forward into the district."

The feasibility studies will tell whether there is enough sun and wind in the area to make it worth the district's investment in a solar panel array or a wind turbine. The district began using alternative energy in 2002 when geothermal wells were installed to heat and cool the intermediate school.

The ideas for solar and wind studies have come from preliminary research conducted by an alternative energy subcommittee of the district Buildings and Grounds Committee, made up of board members, administrators and teachers.

If the results from the solar feasibility study show there is enough sun to offset some of the district's energy costs, the district will put a solar panel array in an empty field next to the intermediate school. The district would work with the New York Power Authority and a third party to develop the array, Mr. Koch said.

The board authorized the payment for a wind project grant application through the state Energy Research and Development Authority on Thursday night. If the grant comes through, the district and the authority will each pay $35,000 to conduct a wind energy feasibility study, Mr. Koch said.

Before the board approved the commitment, board President Donald L. Brumfield voiced concern about needing to commit funds before knowing whether the district will receive a match, and whether the wind study can be conducted at all.

If the study results are positive, the district would plan to put a wind turbine on one of the school campuses. A location for a turbine hasn't been decided, but Calcium Primary School is a possibility, officials said.