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Leon's Beauty School hit a milestone in its journey toward sustainability when it turned on a 165-panel rooftop solar system in late October. Last week, salon staff and students celebrated with a ceremony and green balloon release.

"It feels like I have truly accomplished something beyond myself," said owner Parker Washburn, wearing a green T-shirt with the words "Leon's Going Green 2009" printed across the front. "This is just amazing."

Leon's has worked over the past seven months to improve its environmental footprint, initially holding a RecycleRama fashion show in April involving its stylists and students. Washburn required the employees to increase their recycling and switch from using commercial window cleaner to a simple vinegar and water solution. The owner also prohibited employees and stylists from using Styrofoam cups.

Washburn later contracted with Extend Energy in Greensboro to install both solar hot water and photovoltaic systems. Just selling the electricity at a higher rate back to Duke Energy should help pay for the photovoltaics in five years, she said, and that doesn't include tax credits. The solar array should produce 43,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year -- enough to power eight homes, and reduce carbon emissions by 669 tons over 25 yeras, according to Extend Energy.

"I'm doing this for my grandchildren," said Washburn, who is now considering installing a greywater system. "When you finally have grandkids you want to change your legacy. You want to leave something positive as an example."