ST. LOUIS – Solar power is already showing significant savings for two St. Louis Public Libraries (SLPL). The Julia-Davis and Buder branches each had roof replacements and solar panels installed. Each library has 156 solar panels to help reduce the carbon footprint. Solar panels have a lifespan equivalent to the roof’s life span.

What You Need To Know

  • The Julia-Davis and Buder branches each had roof replacements and solar panels installed

  • The utility reduction that’s been done recently in SLPL projects is saving them $58,000 annually

  • “The projects that we’ve done so far are expected to reduce emissions by 817,734 pounds,” said Struttmann

  • If solar power remains financially feasible, SLPL will look to add more solar power to other libraries as they replace their roofs

“These help offset our costs,” said Justin Struttmann, the Buder branch Chief Operating Officer. “The needs for the energy is kind of concurrent with the usage of energy for us. So peak times of solar activity, those are times where we are maxing in what consumption we have, our HVAC systems cooling and heating the building, lighting, computers and other equipment we provide to our customers.”

Solar panels reduced energy consumption at Julia-Davis by two-thirds. "The energy bill was less than a usual household bill," stated John Newcomer, Julia-Davis branch manager. 

Struttmann said the utility reduction that’s been done recently in SLPL projects is saving them $58,000 annually. 

The SLPS used $462,000 out of its capital reserve for the solar project. Next year, SLPL will apply and should receive $231,000 in credit from the Inflation Reduction Act, half of the upfront cost. It will take 12 years of solar savings to recoup the cost of installation. Struttmann said SLPL is paying Ameren a higher rate as a “2M customer” than before as a “3M customer,” but they’re using less energy than before.

“These buildings are in need of system replacements,” said Struttmann. “When we’re doing these replacements that need to be done because the equipment is end of life or failing, we’re trying to make a good investment. That’s not just going to replace what was there, but certainly if we have the chance to make it better and make it more efficient, which will reduce our ongoing expenses to utilities and maintenances.”

If solar power remains financially feasible, SLPL will look to add more solar power to other libraries as they replace their roofs. 

“If we’re able to do this and it makes sense from a cost perspective, clearly we see value in reducing the energy dependence that we have.”

Solar power is only one way SLPS is saving energy. “The projects that we’ve done so far are expected to reduce emissions by 817,734 pounds,” said Struttmann.

He is excited for an upcoming geothermal project at Carpenter Library that’ll involve drilling 500 feet wells in the parking lot and removing the boilers as they’ll be unnecessary.