Officials at the University of Arizona spent Earth Day this year celebrating a "green" construction project designed to reduce carbon emissions on campus.

Starting next month, the university will begin construction efforts to cover the rooftops of five campus buildings with solar panels, solar water-heating units or a combination of both, officials announced April 22.

"The University of Arizona will shrink its carbon footprint over time, and today is an important step in that direction," said Robert Shelton, UofA president.

The project is expected to convert 500 kilowatts of power to solar sources, which would reduce carbon emissions by approximately 2,209 metric tons.

APS Energy Services will own, operate and maintain the solar generating equipment on campus, and UofA will purchase the energy produced. The Tucson university has a decade-long history of partnering with APS.

The solar thermal technology will be used to heat the approximatley 1.1 million-gallon pool at the Hillenbrand Aquatic Center and the 600,000-gallon pool at the Student Recreation Center. 

The university will begin installing solar panels in early summer. Officials expect to complete the work before the winter holiday break.