Rockland has been awarded $245,839 by the state Department of Energy Resources as part of its Green Communities Designation and Grant Program.

The town will use the money for several projects aimed at reducing energy costs at municipal and public school buildings. Updated lighting fixtures will be installed at R. Stewart Esten Elementary School, John W. Rogers Middle School, Rockland Senior High School, and the Rockland Police Department. Infrared heating will be installed at the Police Department and the Esten School, and the middle school and high school will both get a new generator heat pump. The projects will be done within a year, according to Marcy Birmingham, the town’s project coordinator.

“Any time we can save money in the operation of the community, it’s a win for everybody,’’ said Town Administrator Allan Chiocca. “It frees up cash for other projects.’’

A total of 155 cities and towns across Massachusetts, including Rockland, have been designated Green Communities by meeting criteria such as developing plans to reduce energy use and buying only fuel-efficient vehicles. The designation makes the communities eligible for grants toward energy efficiency projects and renewable-energy projects.

The town will receive the money in three installments, with the first installment likely to come in the next six weeks, Birmingham said.

Jacob Carozza can be reached at jacob.carozza@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @jacobcarozza.