Trumbull’s Solar Solution

A patron examines the informational kiosk about Trumbull Library’s new solar panels. Photo by Sue Horton.

Print

Trumbull (Conn.) Library recently received a valuable green gift: 18 solar panels capable of generating 4 kW of power.

They came from United Illuminating, the local power company, under a pilot program to demonstrate the potential of solar panels. Dan Nelson, chief of staff to the Trumbull first selectman, said UI had already installed solar panels at a site in Bridgeport, and is planning to do so at a few other locations in the state.

UI offered the solar panels to the town. “City Hall decided the library would be a good site” to install them, said Library Director Sue Horton, because the library is centrally located, has a tradition as an open space available to all, and has a roof that is flat and meets the physical needs for installation.

The panels were installed in November 2010, but not activated until March of this year because bad weather interfered with hooking up the electrical and internet connections. The internet connection was necessary for the educational component of the project: a kiosk in the library that describes solar power and shows exactly how much energy the panels are generating at any given time. The kiosk is located in a prominent place in the library—near the circulation desk in a passage that leads to the children’s area.

Patrons have reacted with curiosity and interest, Horton said, and staff are proud of the solar panels and their contribution to the environment. But interest has reached higher levels as well. “The library board had been talking about going greener and they were thrilled,” Horton said. And Nelson said that the project helped satisfy a resolution passed by the town council to use more clean renewable energy sources.

The ultimate effect of the solar panels isn’t yet known. But since activation, the solar panels have produced 899 kWh, enough to power 2,700 light bulbs for a day. And the gift is expected to keep giving: The estimated lifespan for the system is 30 years.