Interesting tidbits from this article on the Milwaukee Public Library’s rooftop solar array:
- The library’s solar electric system is projected to generate 40,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of power a year for the next 40 to 50 years.
- …the new system will produce less than 10% of its electricity needs per year.
- …solar electric prices dropped 15–20% between the time the library contracted for the system’s installation and the writing of this case study (March 2010).
- The library’s solar system will pay for itself over about 15 years, which is a third of its projected lifespan. About 75% of the savings will be from electricity generation and 25% from demand reduction.
Part of me wants to say “timing is everything!”