The Alameda Free Library Is Now Solar-powered!

Thanks to funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and a significant rebate from Alameda Municipal Power, the Alameda Free Library now is solar-powered!

The solar photovoltaic system on the roof of the Main Library promises to offset nearly 55 tons greenhouse emissions or as much as that from 12 passenger cars every year.  This is in addition to the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification the Library has already been awarded.  The 67-kilowatt, direct-current system is expected to generate over 90,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity every year, enough to power roughly 20 typical Alameda households, or up to one quarter of the Library’s annual energy use. 

Typically, solar photovoltaic systems perform best in the summer, offsetting lower winter output, to arrive at the annual expected output.  System performance is affected by a number of factors, most notably sun intensity and ambient temperature. The modules on the Library’s roof are oriented as close to south as possible for best performance and are tilted to maximize summer production.

Monitor the System in Real Time!

An Energy Education Center Kiosk has been installed in the lobby of the library where you can monitor the system in real time. You can also click right here for those same monitoring results...

Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act...

Alameda, like many cities, has been awarded funds for this project under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  These funds are administered by the US Department of Energy.  ARRA 2009 funds provided $414,000 to the project creating local jobs and investing in community services with long-term benefits.

...and Alameda Municipal Power

Alameda Municipal Power, our local, resident-owned electric utility, provided $150,000 toward the project, through its Solar Rebate Program.  The Library project is AMP’s second-largest commercial solar installation to date, demonstrating our utility’s proactive support of solar power as a major component of our City’s energy portfolio.  AMP’s support of solar initiatives results in cleaner power, a reduction in costs to the City, and lower energy costs for its customers.

Sun Light & Power

The Alameda project marks the fourth public library in California where solar integrator Sun Light & Power has installed or is installing solar modules to reduce operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions, provide community leadership and education, and meet new government energy regulations.