Background | Library Solar Energy | Energy Resource Center Kiosk
The Duluth Public Library is committed to being a vital resource center which provides information, materials and services to enrich people's lives.
top

 Background

The City of Duluth’s 2001 City Council resolution to join the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Campaign set the stage for the development of the photovoltaic array on the roof of the Duluth Main Library. The installation and press coverage of the Rebuild Minnesota-sponsored 2.4kW photovoltaic array showed the City’s eagerness to showcase renewable technologies that can be utilized in other applications.

The City of Duluth is committed to carrying out as many energy conservation projects in-house as possible to provide leadership in energy efficiency and show the community the direct savings impact conservation measures can have. The CCP received a $20,000 grant from the State of Minnesota to install the PV array in July 2002.

History: In 1996, the City of Duluth partnered with Johnson Controls, Inc. in a ten-year performance contract to reduce utility costs. As a result of the City joining CCP in May of 2001, along with work suggested by Johnson Controls in their audit, new projects to save energy and educate the public were developed. The Duluth Main Library PV System was the first of these projects.

The City partnered with the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the State Energy Office, Conservation Technologies, and Minnesota Power to educate Minnesotans about the multiple economic and environmental benefits of investment in renewable energy sources. Foot traffic through the Library in 2001 was over 256,626 visitors thus making it a high visibility site for promoting renewable energy technologies.

A critical component of the CCP’s community educational component.is the creation of a computer kiosk to display the diagnostics of the PV. This project will be completed in the Fall of 2004.

Site characteristics: The PV array is placed on the lower roof deck on the lakeside of the Duluth Main Public Library building. The modules line up in an east-west row that puts them at a diagonal to the building.

The interactive kiosk resource center will be located on the second floor.

Reason for installing: As the capstone CCP orgranization, the City of Duluth assumes a responsibility to the community to explore alternative energy sources and lead by example. This PV installation was the first renewable project undertaken.

The interactive kiosk will graphically show the energy produced by the PV system and the greenhouse gases avoided. It will as well, be a valuable resource of energy and environmental information.

The projects were planned together in order to achieve the desired educational benefits.

Overall cost of the project:

  • PV array-$27,000
  • Interactive kiosk- $22,000 Non-personnel/ $22,500 Personnel
  • Total-$44,500.

Lessons Learned: Cooperative arrangements made this project successful. PV systems are reliable. The report about the usefulness of the energy resource center is yet to be determined. It is envisioned that it will be an important tool for the community. Critical Success Factors/key players: Assembling strategic personnel to accomplish this two-phased project.

 
top

Solar Energy at the Duluth Public Library

Roof-Mounted Photovoltaic System:
Location: Lower roof of Main Public Library, 520 W. Superior St. (downtown Duluth)
  • Installed July 2002 System
  • 2.4 kWh system consisting of 8 - 300 watt PV modules by ASE Americas
  • Solar array operates at approximately 400 volts dc which is inverted into 208 volts three phase ac to match the building's electrical system.
  • Annual electric output: Approximately12kWh/day or 4,380kWh/year.

Read more information about Photovoltaics

top

Energy Resource Center Interactive Kiosk and Real Time Performance Data

The energy kiosk houses a computer system which displays the energy output of the PV system installed on the roof. Consumption data, both historical and current, is shown. Energy related information such as greenhouse gas data and calculations to determine household use, as well as links to other energy related web sites will be incorporated.
Access real time performance data here - click book entitled PV Data

This one-stop center provides citizens of Duluth access to renewable energy sources, household determination of energy usage, data on climate effects, graphical representations of energy production/consumption and related emissions, environ- mental impacts of energy production, etc. It has several components to address people of various age groups.
Access Energy Library here.

 


top 		Home About Us Partners Incentives/Programs
Links Contact Us Project Profiles Educational Opportunities/Events