With sustainability practices continually increasing with popularity, it’s no surprise that Phoenix is expanding its go green tactics and introducing new ways to put solar energy to good use.

On July 6, the city launched its first solar-cooled light rail station. One of the most popular and well-used seating areas for the light rail, 3rd. St and Washington, recently went through a remodel and now provides free, on-demand cooling to those waiting for transportation.

The seating area was designed and constructed by NRG Thermal, and provides an environmentally-friendly system that uses solar energy. The company also uses its downtown district cooling system, which cools 34 major buildings downtown, including Chase Field.

The constructing was finished in record time, and fans that went to the Major League Baseball All-Star event were able to try out the new cooling station during one of the hottest times of the year.

With the first solar-cooled light rail station now available for citizens to occupy, another solar power project is in the first sPhoto: Toy Dog Design, Flickrtages of beginning at the Burton Barr Central Library.

Construction has already taken place at the library by SKY Renewable Energy and will occur in two phases to reduce inconvenience to library visitors. The construction will provide power for the library from canopy SolarWings that will be installed in the parking lot.

SolarWing is a Phoenix-based green company that provides covered parking solutions that deliver solar energy.

The installation of 42 SolarWings in the north lot will be able to cover 84 parking spaces, offering both energy to the library and lighting at night.

This $1.3 million project is funded by an Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.