Madison County has a bright idea to save taxpayers millions of dollars over the next several years.

More than 7,000 solar panels are now up and running in Lincoln.

The panels are expected to offset 73 percent of county usage for the county campus. That includes the Onondaga County Office Building and Jail.

Over the next 25 years, it's estimated to save more than $3 million.

"I think most counties are spending time now on always budgets, but also their carbon footprint and so that is a huge asset in that," said Madison County Director of Planning & Workforce Development Scott Ingmire.

The county doesn't pay for installation or maintenance. But, they purchase the power from a private partnership.