Appleton Bets on Solar Panels for Library Roof Payoff
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The city of Appleton, Wisconsin, is planning to place solar panels on the roof of its public library. The project, funded by a government reimbursement for the library’s geothermal system, is expected to cost $700,000, and the panels will generate around 30% of the building’s total energy usage, saving around $70,000 per year. Once the panels are installed, the city plans to create an educational center to show how the renewable process works.
The city of Appleton, Wisconsin is poised to benefit from solar energy through the installation of solar panels on its public library’s roof. The project is currently in its initial stages and is being funded by reimbursement from the library’s geothermal system, which harnesses underground temperatures to regulate the building’s heating and cooling.
“The Inflation Reduction Act enabled us to receive government funds which are being used for these solar panels,” explained Appleton Project and Resiliency Manager, Steven Schrage. The federal government offered around $2.5 million for the library’s geothermal system, with the solar panel installation estimated to cost $700,000.
Schrage revealed that the cost of the solar panel installation was twice the initial projection due to underestimation during budgeting. “Without a full year of utility data, our budgeting was not precise. Now, with the complete data set, we have a clearer understanding of the facility’s utility usage. This led us to request additional funding to ensure maximum benefit from the project,” he clarified.
The addition of solar panels will have substantial benefits for the library. It is estimated that the panels will generate approximately 30% of the library’s total energy consumption, resulting in annual savings of around $70,000 for the city. “As utility rates increase, we stand to gain directly,” added Schrage. “Each kilowatt per hour generated by the solar panels is one less we need to pay for.”
The city expects to recover the expenditure on the solar panels within seven years. Schrage attributes the choice of the library for the solar panel installation to its potential as an educational hub. “The library serves as an important center for information and learning. Its use of renewable energy for heating, cooling, and power generation—especially on sunny days—offers a great educational opportunity about renewable energy sources,” he said.
Following the installation of the solar panels, the city plans to establish an educational center to demonstrate the workings of renewable processes. The commencement of the works is expected in the fall.
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