Citizens Tour Library’s Green Roof

The unexpected shock from the handle of the metal door leading out to the Milwaukee Public Library’s 30,000 square feet of green roof gives new meaning to solar energy.

A small group of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee students as well as Milwaukee residents met at the Milwaukee Central Library on May 2 for a solar energy seminar and tour of the library’s green roof.

When Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett pledged to reduce energy consumption by more than 15 percent across city departments in 2005, the staff at the Central Library took his request seriously.

In 2008, Milwaukee was named one of 25 Solar America Cities by the U.S Department of Energy. The award is helping to accelerate solar adoption and inspired the Milwaukee Public Library to go green.

The introductory seminar was hosted by Milwaukee Shines, which is the City of Milwaukee’s solar energy program, led by the City of Milwaukee’s Office of Environmental Sustainability.

The renewable energy seminar at the central library on Wisconsin Avenue was the first of three introductory seminars scheduled.

Nicholas Korth, the Milwaukee Shines solar coach, explained that the primary job of the program is to promote and educate Milwaukee residents in solar energy. “We give future customers an overview of how the technology works, some steps you need to take before you get the technology, and then some resources that we can provide so you get the best quality installation possible,” he said.

“Last year Milwaukee Shines focused on coaching contractors, this year the focus has shifted to educating consumers and developing lending practices,” added Korth.

The Milwaukee Public Libraries reconstructed roof is very unique because not only does it have a green roof that can absorb water and the suns radiation, but it also houses 132 crystalline solar panels each measuring 39 inches wide and 66 inches tall.

A green roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered in vegetation and growing medium.

The library uses photovoltaic (PV) solar devices that convert sunlight into Direct Current (DC) electricity. The system is expected to produce 40,000-kilowatt hours per year, nearly 10 percent of the library’s electricity needs.

The electricity generated will power the systems for lighting, heating, and cooling, helping to offset the library’s electric bills.

The $1.4 million project was jointly funded by the city of Milwaukee, which contributed $950,000 and through grants from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, the city’s Energy Challenge Fund for Solar Electric Systems, and We Energies’ Focus on Energy program.

There are no moving parts to the library’s electrical system and the equipment has no maintenance. The library does not store energy, but the solar electric system may reduce the libraries electric bill through reduced demand charges.

Benefits of Going Solar:

The Milwaukee Shines program website provides information on future renewable energy courses and community events, a list of the benefits of using solar, and the ways in which solar energy renewal can become a citywide effort.

    * Clean

* Reliable

* Local

* Creates jobs

* Adds significant resale value to home

* Will offset costs of electricity (over the life of the system)

* Solar electric systems have expected life of over 25 years

* Low operation and maintenance costs (no moving parts)

* Gain experience with technology that may have tremendous future potential

* Great public relations and opportunities for community education

For more information on renewable energy resources visit the Milwaukee Shines website. (http://city.milwaukee.gov/milwaukeeshines)

Connie Behrenes-Huffstetter, a MPL map librarian, said that the library’s green roof includes a garden of hardy perennial plants. The plants, which include two varieties of a flowering species called sedum, Karl Foerster Feather Reed grass, and chives, were selected for their abilities to absorb rainwater and withstand the variable Wisconsin climate.

“The natural decomposition of the plants and grass will take care of the fertilizing on their own and it will take 3 years for the grass and plants to fully cover the roof,” added Behrenes-Huffstetter.

The total depth of the roof is 12 inches, 6 inches is growing medium and 2 inches of insulation.

The base of the roof includes two coats of water proofing with hot rubberized asphalt to create a solid membrane and the deck is concrete.

The vegetation and growing media on the roof will help control runoff and backups, remove pollutants, and regulate the building’s temperature.

Joanne Salas, a MPL periodicals librarian, believes the green roofs ability to reduce the “urban heat island effect” or the temperature increase caused by pavements and buildings is very important.

“A green roof reduces replacement costs by increasing a roof’s lifespan,” added Salas.

Milwaukee Shinesalso works with the Solar Hot Water Business Council to support the community’s strong manufacturing and business base. The program supports industries by creating local jobs, increasing the number of solar professionals, and encouraging solar manufacturing companies to bring their business to Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Shines and the Milwaukee Public Library have proven their commitment to making Milwaukee a greener city.

For more information about getting involved in energy renewal or simply how to go green visit the Midwest Renewable Energy Associations website. (https://www.midwestrenew.org/)