Solar, LEDs help Iowa library reduce costs by $27k

A small town library in Iowa has seen significant savings in its utility bills over the past fiscal year after completing energy efficiency upgrades and the installation of a rooftop solar project that is generating about 33% of its daily power use. 

The (Mason City) Globe Gazette reported Feb. 25 that the Mason City Public Library's bill was reduced by $27,000 in the past fiscal year to $41,000 from $68,000. In addition to the solar project, the library also completed two other initiatives that have helped to reduce energy costs: the installation of LED lighting throughout the building and 23 openable windows that help reduce the need for HVAC operation, according to the newspaper. 

The solar project utilizes 207 solar panels and became operational July 12, 2016, following three years of planning.