Three rows of solar panels next to First Congregational United Church of Christ, 120 Kuckkan Ln.
Three rows of solar panels next to First Congregational United Church of Christ, 120 Kuckkan Ln.
Three rows of solar panels next to First Congregational United Church of Christ, 120 Kuckkan Ln.
Three rows of solar panels next to First Congregational United Church of Christ, 120 Kuckkan Ln.
WATERTOWN — Activated Monday, First Congregational United Church of Christ Moderator Jim Ortega said that the church’s new solar panels reduce their electricity bills, minimize their carbon footprint, and honor their faith and stewardship.
Ortega said the 144 solar panels are not on the church roof, but are located on the ground in three rows in a 90×90 foot area. Each row has a 12-15 foot gap in between one another so as not to cast a shadow on the row behind it.
The panels were activated Monday and the First Congregational United Church of Christ will dedicate them on Sunday.
“I think it’s important for the church to take part in the preservation of God’s creation — a creation constantly under threat by forces more willing to follow a golden calf than the God of new life,” First Congregational United Church of Christ Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Christopher Ross said.
Ortega said the solar panels are expensive, but up until this year’s end, the First Congregational United Church of Christ will receive a full tax refund for $40,000.
“They are put together to produce our electrical use,” Ortega said. “We just sell it back to the utility grid and they discount our electrical bill every month.”
He said for the First Congregational United Church of Christ and its members it makes sense to have solar panels because it fulfills their green initiative and reduces their carbon footprint.
“In the long run, we’re going to save a great deal on our electric bills,” Ortega said. “We were fortunate to have Appleton Solar install them and complete the project before the end of the year.”
He said long before the solar panels were installed the church membership needed to make a decision on whether or not to have them.
“About 75% of our church membership pledged to pay for the system,” Ortega said.
He said for the remaining amount the church membership decided to use other available funds for it.
“It’s definitely a good investment for us,” Ortega said. “Our panels have a 30-year warranty so the payback will be less in 10 years because we are cutting our electric bills.”
He said with electricity costs increasing it was a wise investment.
“The higher the rates go the more we are saving,” Ortega said.
He attended a conference in October given by Phius, a non-profit 501©(3) organization committed to decarbonizing the built environment.
“They basically work with the contractor to lower the carbon footprint,” Ortega said. “The speaker said, ‘If it’s a skyscraper or a residence, you can extrapolate the electricity costs over 30 years. It grows and grows exponentially.’ Even if we have to replace the system in 30 years, we will gain better technology. As they become older, the panels will still work, but they won’t be at 100%.”
He said old solar panels are often turned over to poverty-stricken countries for use.
“They still work and can lower the carbon footprint, but they are not working at full capacity,” Ortega said. “It still makes sense to pass them along and keep them running to help another country with their power needs.”
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