Contact: Sarah Terry, Communications Manager
Louise Schaper, Executive Director
Grant Funds Solar Project at Library
FAYETTEVILLE – The Fayetteville Public Library will announce plans to further its commitment to sustainability during a news conference on Tuesday, March 17 at 3 p.m. on the library’s south terrace.
The library was recently awarded a $60,000 grant from the International City/Council Management Association to develop a test facility at the library for solar technology researched and developed in Northwest Arkansas. Partners on the project include City of Fayetteville, Arkansas Energy Office, American Electric Power, the National Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission, University of Arkansas and Arkansas Power Electronics International.
The panels will provide power to the library through an inverter that was developed at Arkansas Power Electronics International. A kiosk will be set up at the library to demonstrate the power the solar panels are generating for the library and how the power is being used.
“Since completing Blair Library, a LEED Silver certified building, the library has continually worked to further its commitment to sustainability,” said Louise Schaper, FPL Executive Director. “Through this grant, the library will save energy, provide a platform for local innovators to test their technologies, and provide a real world learning opportunity for the community.”
The grant will allow several groups in Northwest Arkansas’ emerging “green valley” to partner. In addition to the library and the city, the project will also involve students from the University of Arkansas’ Electrical Engineering Senior Design program, who will design and install the panel housing and kiosk website.
The project will also provide a real world application of renewable energy research and development occurring at the Arkansas Research and Technology Park.
The library was one of 9 libraries awarded an ICMA Public Library Innovation Grant out of the 515 libraries that applied. The grants are designed to assist local governments’ in developing new and creative ways to strategically use their public libraries in meeting community needs.