The Brentwood Public Library hosts the largest solar installation of any library in New York State, after the project was completed this January 2014.
PSEG Long Island was selected by the Long Island Power Authority in to manage its electric system and provided a $225,000 rebate through its Solar Entrepreneur commercial renewable program to fund the project.
“This is a good example of how an educational institution can work together with a major utility and the New York State government to provide cost effective operations,” says Brentwood Public Library Director Tom Tarantowicz.
The library is now benefitting from solar power by generating its own electricity to help offset electric utility costs. The electricity produced by the solar energy project is projected to reduce the library’s electric costs by 12% annually, and during its 30 year estimated lifetime the system will produce $1.2 million of clean, renewable electricity.
“Brentwood Public Library can now harness the energy of the sun to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, lower its energy bills and protect the environment,” says Michael Voltz, director of energy efficiency and renewables. “PSEG Long Island commends Brentwood Library for making renewables part of their energy portfolio.”
Over the past few years, the library has instituted many cost-saving methods to reduce energy consumption such as the changeover to more efficient lighting and updating of the heating and air conditioning system. The solar power installation which was designed by Beatty, Harvey, Coco Architects and implemented by McClave Engineering is their most ambitious and cost effective project to date.
Long Island contractor and Solar Power World Top 250 Contractor SUNation Solar Systems completed the solar project on time and on budget. “As one of the oldest and most reputable solar firms on Long Island, our commitment to energy independence was in perfect synergy with the Brentwood team,” says Scott Maskin, president of SUNation Solar Systems.
Project Notes
Panels: Trina Solar 300-W
Inverters: Solectria Renewables PVI 100 and PVI 50
Racking & Mounting: Unirac SunFrame
Contractor: SUNation Solar Systems
Scott Maskin says
Bullwitter, This particular building had structural load restrictions that we had to work around. The library’s engineering team had to balance the local wind load and ballast weight and felt that a flat fully attached system was the best option. In the world of municipal contracting, design specifications are produced and we must build to those standards. The library fully understands the maintenance side of their decision to install at zero degree tilt. It’s a beauty and is cranking away. Thanks for the comment.
Bullwitter says
Why are they flat? Dust, snow etc will be a problem?