South Congregational Church Solar Array

House of Worship - February 2013

A net zero energy facility

Quick Facts

Average Annual Savings

$6,500

Energy Needs Met

100%

or more of electricity

Property

Owner:: South Congregational Church
Type:: House of Worship
Address:: 1066 South East Street, Amherst, Ma 01002
Size:: 15,000 sq ft
Energy need met:: 100% or more of electricity
Designations:: Deep energy retrofit; Zero net energy
Event Participation:: NESEA Green Buildings Open House 2013 Host

Technology

Type:: Solar PV
Installed:: February 2013
Size of System:: 50 kW
Monitor performance:: https://solaros.datareadings.com/
Purposes:: To generate electricity

Financial Details

Gross Cost of System:: $220,000
Annual Savings:: $6,500
Own or Lease:: Cash Purchase
Additional Financial Notes:: MA SREC Sales, Commercial mortgage on Parsonage

Professionals & Suppliers

Products:: SunPower
Installers:: PV Squared Solar

What You Need to Know

Description:

Rooftop Solar PV

Other Benefits:

Advertizes our congregations commitment to the environment and the future.

Efficiency or Sustainability Improvements:

New High Effeciency Heat pump, insulation, windows, lights, and weather striping, reduced our energy use enough so the solar panels could provide enough energy for heat and cooling as well as light, etc.

My Motivation:

A desire to be good stewards of the planet. Cost savings.

Additional Notes:

Sunpower's high effeciency panels let us meet our need with just the roof; so we didn't need to put any in the field. We considered taking down trees to increase sunlight; only one tree had enough electric generating value to pay for it's removal, but that tree had too much shade and beauty value.

Open House Info:

We will be giving tours from 10 -2 on Sat. Oct. 5, 2013

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