Solar panel canopies to be installed at Mesa library

Mesa Main Library is getting solar panel canopies, which will offer covered parking for visitors while adding capacity for energy generation.

Fencing is to be installed on Jan. 30, impacting parking availability and the sidewalks, according to a release.

During the first phase of construction, which starts Feb. 3, the library parking at 64 E. First St. will only be accessible from Centennial Street. Temporary ADA parking spots will be available on the east side of the library, near the Centennial Street entrance. Construction will continue through March.

The library project is part of a Mesa City Council-approved initiative to install over 2,000 kilowatts of solar panels at four downtown locations, benefiting downtown businesses and residents by:

Creating additional locally generated energy for electric system resiliency
Diversifying the City’s energy supply to minimize the effects of high electric market pricing
Supporting the City’s renewable energy goals

The other projects are at the City’s Sixth Street campus:

Charles K. Luster Building, 640 N. Mesa Drive
Transportation Building. 600 E. 6th St.
Solid Waste Division and Electric Meter Shop, 730 N. Mesa Drive.

The city has installed several solar generation projects in recent years, generating power for use in the city’s electric utility. They are at the Mesa City Hall parking lot, 20 E. Main St.; Mesa Municipal Building parking lot, 55 N. Center St; ASU MIX Center rooftop, 50 N. Centennial Way and the City of Mesa ice rink building rooftop, 56 E. Main St.

Solar panel canopies have also been installed in the parking lots of city of Mesa buildings in SRP’s service territory, lowering utility bills at those locations. These include the Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Road; Red Mountain Center, 7550 E. Adobe St.; Fiesta Police Substation, 1010 W. Grove Ave. and Fire Station 212, 2430 S. Ellsworth, the release states.

The Mesa City Council on June 3, 2024, approved and authorized the city manager to enter into a 25-year purchase power agreement with Solon Corp. for four downtown Mesa solar projects including the library. The vendor will privately finance, develop, design, construct, own, report, operate and maintain the system. Energy Resources will purchase the solar energy from the projects for use in its electric supply portfolio.