LOWER MERION – Lower Merion Township officials are a step closer to getting solar panels for Ludington Library.
At its May 23, 2024, meeting, the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners announced the 2024 round of Montco 2040 Implementation Grant funding awardees. Lower Merion Township was awarded a maximum of $250,000 for the Ludington Library Solar Installation Project.
A few years ago, the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners resolved to convert the township buildings and facilities to electricity generated from non-fossil fuel energy by 2035.
“The project aims to help Lower Merion Township lead by example and meet its goal of transitioning township facilities and operations from non-fossil fuel to clean energy sources by 2035,” Lower Merion officials said in a press release.
According to township officials, the project will result in the installation of a photovoltaic (PV) solar array on the lower roof of the library, as well as two ground-mounted PV solar canopies over portions of the library parking
lot.
One issue that was asked about when the township commissioners discussed the grant in February was whether this would negatively impact the library’s green roof.
According to Lower Merion officials, the green roof on the library’s upper roof will remain intact.
The approximately 152.9 kW photovoltaic system is expected to produce about 195,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy. The system would generate on-site renewable energy for nearly 50% of the library’s electricity use, reducing the Township’s building energy-related greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 7.3%.
“This project is critical to meet the goals laid out in Lower Merion’s Sustainability Plan, as it will enable the Township to reduce reliance on fossil fuel energy, stabilize operating costs amidst rising energy prices, increase climate resilience, improve air quality and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with Township operations,” township officials said.
This project will be the township’s second solar project, the first being a system at Penn Wynne Library that is expected to be completed this fall.
The Montco 2040 Implementation Grant Program is intended to assist municipalities in making targeted physical improvements that achieve real progress toward the goals of the county’s comprehensive plan, Montco 2040: A Shared Vision. Lower Merion’s Ludington Library Solar Installation Project is one of 13 awarded grant funding this year.
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