Franklin Square library goes green

For some time, the Franklin Square Public Library has been using florescent lights, turning off computers at night and generally trying to respond to a Long Island Power Authority energy audit, but it has recently gone a step further. Now the library can actually generate energy via solar panels that were installed on the building’s roof in the fall. On Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m., the library unveiled its monitoring station, which will allow patrons to see how much energy is being generated by the solar panels in real-time reporting.

In the short time since the library’s panels were installed, they have produced 1,4000 kilowatts of energy — enough energy to power 1,371 computers for an entire day. With the help of a New York State library construction grant of $48,150, and a pre-approved LIPA rebate of $18,095, the library has brought the project in under the amount approved by taxpayers in the 2010-11 budget.