Energy Conservation
Teton County Library Completes 5-Year Solar Project Ahead of Schedule
Jackson, WY- Teton County Library has completed the final phase of a five-year solar project, one year ahead of schedule, thanks to generous support from grants, especially through the Teton County Library Foundation.
“As a result of outstanding grant and community support, we finished the project in four years, allowing the library to save more electricity sooner, which increases the benefits of the project,” said Dail Barbour, Facility Manager for the library.
The library’s rooftop now houses 197 solar panels, generating approximately 30,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year – enough to power three average American homes. By harnessing energy from the sun, the project will reduce emissions of CO2, a greenhouse gas, by an estimated 48,000 pounds per year. Through the life of the solar array, as much as half a million pounds of CO2 emissions will be eliminated.
Funding for the project, completed this year, came from grants and donations from the Teton County Library Foundation, Teton County, the Lightner Sams Foundation, Joanne and David Stokes, the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, the Teton Conservation District, 1% for the Tetons, an anonymous family foundation, Lower Valley Energy and the Wyoming Business Council.
“This generous private support, combined with assistance from our public partners, makes it possible for the library to be a community leader in going green and in providing information, ideas and inspiration for others to do the same,” said Missy Falcey, Library Foundation Executive Director.
The goal of the project is to generate about 30 percent of the library’s electricity through solar power. Lower Valley Energy is measuring the project’s energy generation, and the library is receiving credit against its electricity use for the amount the panels produce.
In addition, the library has installed software to monitor the amount of electricity produced and to provide a continuous graphic display of those statistics on the library website (TCLib.org/green) for citizens to observe. View Stats Here >>
“This has been a source of great excitement for library patrons, especially children,” Barbour said.
The software also collects and stores solar information specific to Jackson Hole, which will be available for other installations, research and as a source of long-term weather data. The library continues to research opportunities to assist with providing solar information about this region.
As part of this demonstration project, the library has been sharing alternative energy and conservation information with patrons through library and community programs, ranging from a compact fluorescent light bulb give-away with Lower Valley Energy to workshops on green building and sustainable investing.
“The demonstration aspect of this project and educational programs will hopefully inspire others to invest in long-term projects to protect and improve the quality of life in our valley, far into the future,” Barbour said.
To learn more about Teton County Library’s green efforts, from building and operations to programs for adults and children, visit TCLib.org/green.
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Teton County Library offers open and equal access to information, literature and ideas…to encourage a lifetime of learning, to strengthen our evolving community, to inspire us all.
For more information, contact Dail Barbour 733-2164 ext. 121 or
