Library Solar Project Moving Forward
December 29, 2016 (Helena, MT)—The Library replaced its old roof last year and now continues with a project to install a 50kW solar array which will begin the first week of January. Library officials will strive to ensure that the impact to patrons will be minimal during this process.
Lewis & Clark Library Director, John Finn, explains that unlike with the reroofing project, the Library’s parking lot will only be disrupted for brief periods of time. “We anticipate that the Library’s parking lot will only be unavailable to patrons on January 3rd and 9th when Bozeman Green Build delivers the materials for the two phases of the installation. During that time, some parking in the library’s lot will be limited, but patrons can park along Park Avenue and access the Library through the Main Entrance.”
Patrons will also notice an increase in noise inside the Library as Bozeman Green Build installs steel pipes and an aluminum rail racking structure on January 3rd, 4th, and 5th. “This will be the part of the project that will have the biggest impact on patrons as 104 steel pipes will be installed on the roof. The pipes will be pounded into place and then drilled, so it will be loud,” explains Finn.
If all goes well, the system will be installed and up and running by the 23rd of January. “Weather is always the unknown variable,” states Finn. “We are asking our patrons to be patient with us during this process and we promise to restore normalcy as quickly as possible.”
This solar installation will be effective in reducing the Library’s power usage. Finn says, “Once the solar array is in place, the Library will see monthly savings of 15% on our energy bill, a very significant amount of money over the lifetime of the system.”
This project began in 2015 when the Sleeping Giant Citizens Council approached the Library about the idea of having the Library be a demonstration project for the benefits of public solar energy. It was a timely partnership because the Library was just about to begin a project to replace the old roof with a new, more energy efficient roof, increasing the R Value of the insulation to R54. During the roof replacement, contractors installed the supports for the eventual 50kW solar array project.
Through the Sleeping Giant Citizens Council, the Helena Sun Run was held in the fall of 2015 with runners raising more than $11,000 towards the solar project. In the summer of 2016, Northwestern Energy granted the Library up to $90,000 in funds to complete the project; then later in the summer of 2016 a private donation in the amount of $33,000 made certain the project would happen without spending any Library, or public funds on the project.
In addition to the solar array, the Library lobby will house an educational kiosk displaying in real-time, what kind of energy savings and carbon reduction the solar array is providing. Finn explains that the Library is the perfect place to have demonstration project such as this, given that the Library is a very visible part of the community. “The library is doing its part in reducing carbon emissions as well as being an educational resource for the community.”
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