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Powering the Main Library, 12/28/2018

May contain: neighborhood, city, solar panels, electrical device, condo, housing, building, architecture, urban, and outdoors

​LAKEVIEW, Ore.—December 28, 2018— The Main Library’s new power source is up and running. The 78 solar panels on the building’s roof are expected to produce about 1/3 of the power needed for the library annually and save the library more than $25,000 in energy costs over the first 10 years. Click here to see how much power the panels are producing.
 
The 23.4 kilowatt rooftop solar system was made possible with funding support from Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program customers through a $65,000 grant award. The library was able to raise the additional $8,500 needed to complete the project through local community donations.  Adding solar panels to the highly efficient ground-source heating and cooling system brings the Main Library close to a net-zero building.
 
“We can’t thank Lake County Resources Initiative, Oregon Clean Power Cooperative, Sunlight Solar, and Pacific Power’s Blue Sky customers enough for making our solar power dreams come true,” said Amy Hutchinson, Library Director. “The team made the complicated process of designing the project, applying for the grant, and installing the project so easy on the library, returning valuable tax dollars to library services for many years to come,” Hutchinson said.
 
This solar development project is part of a statewide effort to install solar energy systems on nonprofit and government facilities. In 2017, Lake County, Hood River County, and Douglas County teamed up with Sustainable Northwest to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot: Solar in Your Community Challenge. Oregon Clean Power Cooperative is supporting the SunShot team’s efforts through its unique community financing model, which allows community members to invest in local solar projects.
 
Lake County Resources Initiative (LCRI) works to promote and share an understanding of the inter-relationships between people and their environment. LCRI believes that promoting healthy ecosystems and natural resources products can provide economic opportunities to local communities.
 
Founded in 1994, Sustainable Northwest works at the intersection of economy, environment, and community, pioneering natural resource solutions that work for people and nature. By bringing people together to find common ground, they are building a regional economy based on land stewardship and markets for sustainable wood and clean energy. For more information visit SustainableNorthwest.org
 
The Oregon Clean Power Cooperative is the only state-wide cooperative in the U.S. dedicated solely to community-owned renewable energy. Their member-financed projects keep capital circulating locally, create green jobs, and enable Oregon communities to become more self-reliant through locally-generated clean power.
 
Lake County Libraries provide inviting community spaces to nurture young readers, explore stories and information, and connect with others. Questions about the library or the project may be directed to Amy Hutchinson, Library Director, 541-947-6019