The Peru Gazette

Librarian Becky Pace

By John T. Ryan

In a few days visitors to the Peru Free Library will be able to see just how much electrical power the library’s solar energy system has generated that day, week and year. Librarian Becky Pace will undoubtedly receive satisfaction every time she looks at the digital display knowing that the solar system is generating enough electricity to pay the library’s entire electricity bill.

The solar system was installed over the past days by SolarNovar (formerlyTriangle Electric) of Plattsburgh. The company’s sales manager Tom Hollingsworth said the 10,535 watt system consists of forty-nine 31”x61” photovoltaic panels installed on the library’s south-facing roof. Each panel weighs about thirty-two pounds and can generate 215 watts of electricity.  The direct current produced by the panels travels to an inverter in the library basement where it is converted into alternating current. If the panels are producing more electricity than the library needs, the excess goes into the NYSEG grid system.

SolarNovar has installed about 70 solar systems in the Clinton, Essex and Franklin County region over the past several years. Tom Hollingsworth is especially excited about SolarNovar’s new solar trackers. They allow solar panels to be precisely aligned with the angle of the sun throughout the day providing much greater efficiency. He believes the business community will see great potential for these systems. SolarNovar is manufacturing the tracker systems at its 158 Quarry Rd. location in Plattsburgh. Five trackers have been installed and eight more have been ordered. Both the stationary and tracker systems qualify for New York State Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) grants. The Peru Free Library received a $52,675 NYSERDA grant for its solar system.

Along with the solar system our local library has undergone several recent improvements including installation of a beautiful front sidewalk and replacement of a portion of its roof.  In the not too distant future, a natural gas powered furnace should be installed.