Millvale Community Library will generate 100 percent of its electricity through solar power beginning in April.
Solar panel expansion on the roof of its building at 213 Grant Ave. will enable the addition of 5 kilowatts of electrical capacity. The funding was part of a $54,000 Hillman Foundation grant in 2014 that also financed earlier solar panel work at the library, which opened in August 2013.
“In 2014, we produced 78 percent of our electricity through onsite solar panels, and with this new addition, we will increase that to be able to generate 100 percent of our electricity with the solar panels,” Brian Wolovich, library board president, said.
Solar panel work at the library’s Imagine building next door also will be completed in the spring, thanks to a $30,000 grant from Green Mountain Energy’s Sun Club. The Sun Club, which builds and promotes solar power, assists nonprofits “with a socially responsible focus to reduce their electricity costs,” according to its website.
A symbolic check in the amount of the grant will be presented at 4 p.m. Monday.
The grant also will be used to forward the library’s work and mission to educate the community on the benefits of solar, shrink its carbon footprint, cut costs, and redirect funding toward supporting and expanding library programs, Mr. Wolovich said. An educational sign will be erected telling how solar power works.
The borough also is involved with promoting solar power. Millvale and Etna have partnered with the Solarize Allegheny program designed to help more businesses, homeowners and property owners get information on going solar.
The library also is following through on the Kidsburgh Advocacy Agenda inspired by the partnership with Kidsburgh, an effort to make Pittsburgh communities better places for kids to live, learn and play.
Dominique Dove, board secretary and coordinator, said Millvale for Kids is a collaboration of some local churches, Boys and Girls Club, kindergarten and preschool teachers and local nonprofits, which meet to discuss ways to help parents and children.
Current focus is on making sure youngsters are registered for kindergarten, making sure they have the skills to be successful in school and supporting parents.
“Millvale is a transient community and it is hard to get a read on how many children there are,” Ms. Dove said.
The group will publish a quarterly newsletter, which will be distributed in the Shaler Area School District elementary schools and be available at several locations, including the North Hills Community Outreach and the library.
“It’s to let people know the awesome things available for children,” she said.
To help with registration, the library will host a kindergarten roundup for Shaler Area and Earth Day celebration from 1 to 3 p.m. April 25. Free programs, such as face painting, crafts and solar energy-related activities are planned. A free lunch will be served and a kids and family yoga class will be available from 12:30 to 1 p.m.
Information: millvalelibrary@gmail.com, 412-822-7081.
Virginia Miller, freelance writer: suburbanliving@post-gazette.com.
First Published: March 13, 2015, 4:00 a.m.
