FREEPORT

A solar panel array and conscientious staff have contributed to limiting electrical usage at the Freeport Public Library, according to the library director, dropping the demand 34 percent over the past 10 years.

The library was outfitted with a 10-kilowatt system — with 44 panels and two inverters — in April 2010, said library director Beth Edmonds, and last year the array generated 9,619 kilowatt hours of the overall 128,760 kWh the library used, or 11 percent of its electrical demand.

“We have a graph that shows how much we’ve generated every month of every year,” said Edmonds, “and it varies month to month, but July and August are usually very good, then it heads downhill through the winter.”

In December and January of 2012 and 2013, the solar panels generated between a high of 240 kWh and low of 52 kWh, while in July and August of those years, the panels generated between 1,451 and 1,199 kWh.

The moderately flat roof where the solar panels are located may contribute in part to the decreased generation in the winter, said Edmonds, as snow accumulation may block sunlight from reaching the array.

In the winter, the library staff ramp up their efforts to conserve, she said, noting that the library installed insulating shades last year that are lowered by hand at night to retain heat.

“It takes about 20 minutes to pull all the shades down,” said Edmonds. “I credit the staff and their dedication to conserving energy and maintaining a thoughtful attitude,” about their energy usage.

During the summer months, Edmonds said she used the air conditioner moderately, “so it’s pleasant but not freezing.”

When the building was first constructed, Edmonds said she had impressed upon the Town Council how important it was to have air conditioning in a library.

“This is an enormous resource to the town, and it’s made of paper,” said Edmonds. “Mold is a major problem, so you want air conditioning to keep it from getting damp and creating a growing ground for mold.”

“All of this has inspired my husband and I to put solar panels on our house,” said Edmonds. “We put them on in June and its amazing how much has been produced,” she said, noting that a federal renewable energy tax credit is still available for residential use.

The Freeport Community Library is located at 10 Library Drive, off Main Street. For more information, visit www.freeportlibrary.com.

rgargiulo@timesrecord.com