PSEG Power Connecticut to donate, install solar panels at Bridgeport libraries

Renewables project expected to save libraries $20K annually

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Oct 09, 2014, 10:30 ET

BRIDGEPORT, Conn., Oct. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- PSEG Power Connecticut today announced that it has donated and will install approximately 1,600 solar panels at two of Bridgeport's libraries – the main Downtown Burroughs-Saden Library, located at 925 Broad St.; and the North Branch Library, located at 3455 Madison Ave.

"PSEG Power Connecticut has made this donation to show its commitment to helping Bridgeport meet its energy needs in a variety of ways," said Tom Copus, plant manager-PSEG Power Connecticut. "The company wants to raise awareness of green energy, so installing solar panels at the libraries made sense, especially as we expand our efforts to educate students about this alternate form of energy."

The company has hired RGS Energy of Port Chester, N.Y., as the engineering, procurement and construction management vendor for the work. RGS is one of the oldest and largest solar energy companies in the United States and, with its recent acquisition of Mercury Solar Systems, has even more of a local Connecticut presence.

As part of the agreement with RGS Energy, an educational display will be built in each of the libraries, which will be tied into the system, showing real-time data. These kiosks will be housed in highly accessible areas at both branches to facilitate education.

"The Bridgeport Public Library board of directors is pleased to use library facilities to further green energy initiatives," said Thomas Errichetti, library board director. "The display kiosks will be another tool to educate the public – not only our younger readers, but patrons of all ages – about green energy and energy conservation. This is keeping with the library's purpose: to foster life-long learning through free and open access to information."

"In Bridgeport, we're committed to moving toward a clean energy future, which will help reduce pollution and improve the economic future for our kids and grandkids," said Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch. "But in order to do so, we need job creators and businesses to pitch in. That's why efforts like this from PSEG are so important. These solar panels will help produce emissions-free energy at a site where kids and families spend a good deal of their time. We're thankful for PSEG's generous contributions to our city, and look forward to continuing our work together in creating green jobs and powering our city with clean energy sources."

The solar panels have been designed to provide the libraries with the maximum amount of energy possible. It is estimated that the solar panels will reduce the libraries' total energy consumption by 125,000 kWh a year, saving the libraries approximately $20,000 per year. Work is expected to start by the end of October, with an estimated completion by year-end 2014.

PSEG Power Connecticut's Bridgeport Harbor and New Haven Harbor stations are part of PSEG Power LLC's generating fleet.

PSEG Power LLC is an independent power producer that generates and sells electricity in the wholesale market, with a fleet totaling more than 13,000 MWs of electric generating capacity. It is a nationally recognized industry leader on environmental issues.

PSEG Power LLC is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG), a diversified energy company.

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SOURCE PSEG Power