COLUMBIA, SC.- The Columbia Museum of Art implemented a renewable energy project using a recently installed solar panel array on the roof of its building which is reducing the amount of energy the museum has to purchase. The Museum received a $213,500 grant from the US Department of Energy to fund the 177 solar panels, special installation equipment, 6 electrical inverters and a web based monitoring system. A special educational webpage at columbiamuseum.org provides visitors with fun facts, live readings of energy saved, photos and interactive games for kids. The Solar Panels will: PRODUCE 10-20% of the Museum’s daily usage. OFFSET 40 tons of carbon every year. SAVE 379 trees per year. GENERATE 53,340 kilowatts per hour. “This project is a great example of using renewable energy to improve the environment and the economy. Patrons of the museum will be able to learn more about solar technology as they see it w