By Joe Bachman

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — McMillan Library took its first steps into reducing their carbon footprint on Monday.

Officially endorsed by the city in April, Viking Electric partnered with McMillan Library to begin the installation of solar panels on their rooftop today. The project will not only reduce McMillan’s carbon footprint, but it will cost the taxpayers absolutely nothing.

At a cost of close to $420,000, McMillan will take $250,000 of that — half of which comes from private donations. The other half will come from the Library Endowment Fund.

“We are very excited about this project” said Library Director Andy Barnett in a McMillan Library news release. “Finding a solid private partner to bear part of the costs and utilize the tax credits was the key to the project. Scott and Viking Electric bring a great deal of expertise to the project and we look forward to working with them.”

Viking Electric, owned by Lincoln High School graduate Scott Prahl, will take part in the installation of the solar panels. Viking Electric will serve as a tax sponsor, selling the electricity produced by the library at a reduced rate, while benefiting from multiple tax credits.

The solar array will produce 250,000 kWhs annually, which is enough to power 25 average homes. McMillan Library is located at 490 E. Grand Ave.