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It has taken a lot of energy from multiple sources to advance from the drawing board to construction phase plans for the new La Conner-Swinomish Regional Library.

That kind of energy promises to be renewable on several levels going forward.

Plans to solarize the library were shared in detail during a 45-minute Zoom session last Wednesday sponsored by the La Conner Library Foundation, La Conner Weekly News, and Western Solar, the Bellingham firm tabbed to install the library’s solar energy system.

La Conner Library Foundation Director Susan Macek served as program moderator.

“We’ve never done anything like this before,” she said of the remote format. “I miss seeing people but we’re going to give it a whirl.”

Western Solar spokesman Callum McSherry confirmed that the new library will feature the maximum rooftop solar array - a collection of solar panels in a single location - when the system is installed later this spring.

“We’re really excited about this project,” McSherry said.

He said that the $53,456 library solar energy project is more than 80% funded thanks to private donors and a $25,000 Solar Moonlight Program Grant.

Afterward, La Conner Weekly News Publisher Ken Stern said he is offering a $2,500 matching grant challenge to fully fund the project.

“To date we have raised $47,800 toward our Solarize La Conner Swinomish Library project,” Macek said via email on Monday. “If we raise an additional $5,656, we will meet 100% of our goal.”

Going solar during a period marked by growing evidence of climate change will be both energy efficient and cost effective in the long run, according to data McSherry provided.

He shared with his audience an assessment from Katherine Hamilton, who chairs the firm 38 North Solutions and the non-profit Project on Clean Energy and Innovation.

“If the U.S. electricity system were powered by zero carbon generation,” McSherry quoted Hamilton, “that would reduce U.S. carbon emissions by 30%. But if you then electrified buildings, transportation, and even half of industry, that would boost reductions by more than 70%. It is a huge opportunity for emissions reduction.”

Additionally, recent Puget Sound area weather conditions have been notable.

“Last year was quite striking to me,” McSherry said. “We had alternately the coldest, hottest, and wettest months on record.”

McSherry presented a chart indicating the solar energy system designed for the new library would generate not only electric power but also net savings approaching $75,000 over a 25-year period. The system, he said, is warrantied for a quarter century but is anticipated to last up to 40 years.

Money saved from energy costs could then go to support other library programs, he noted.

Town council member Mary Wohleb was among those who participated in a question-and-answer segment with McSherry and architect Jake LaBarre.

“I’m very pleased,” she said, “to see the library going solar.”

The solar aspect of the new library can also provide educational opportunities for La Conner Schools students, LaBarre said.

Macek agreed, adding that local students frequently visit the library to engage in reading and research assignments.

“We’re really looking forward,” Macek said, “to solarizing our library. We’re looking forward to the day we can walk through the doors of the new library. It’s a dream we’ve had for many years.”