You might be sick of high temperatures and the summer sun but diocesan leaders say, ‘let there be light!’
That’s because the Pastoral Center is joining a growing list of local parishes that are harnessing the region’s abundant sunshine to power its facilities.
The Diocese broke ground on its Solar Energy Project on August 16th. The construction consists of 1,011 solar panels designed to produce more than 543 kilowatts of energy. The panels will be installed on a new carport that includes two charging stations for electric vehicles. Additionally, drought tolerant plants and decomposed granite will replace some traditional grass landscaping.
Bishop Gerald Barnes requested the renovation following Pope Francis’s Encyclical Laudato Si that discusses the environmental crisis from a spiritual perspective and the recent Pastoral Statement of the California Bishops that challenges churches to take action.
“Our Diocesan Solar Energy Project is one way to show we are serious about answering God’s call to be good stewards of his creation,” says Bishop Barnes. “It is my prayer that this will help all of the faithful consider how they, too, can honor this responsibility in their everyday lives.”
The Diocese purchased the solar carports from Renewable Energy Partners in Corona for $730,000. That money should be recouped in about nine years through electricity cost savings, according to the Diocesan Office of Construction and Real Estate. The Diocese is hopeful that the new system will shrink electricity costs by 75% or about $7,500 a month, meaningful saving for the diocese.
“We have a lot of consumption of electricity because we have about 150 employees here at the Pastoral Center. This place runs seven days a week,” explains David Meier, Director of the Office of Construction and Real Estate. “We’re doing our part as a Diocese to help the environment.”
So much so…Renewable Energy Partners says the carbon offset of the project is equivalent to taking 44 cars off the road for one year.
Full story at Inland Catholic Byte.
Excellent economics as well as a good moral choice.
Save energy! Don’t worry about saving souls!
bedwere, you can do both! The question is, why isn’t every parish doing this?
Does the Diocese charge for a ‘fill-up’ at the electric charging station?
Good to see the Diocese is getting rid of grass. After all, about 90% of southern California water is imported.
Why doesn’t the diocese demonstrate similar seriousness about quality liturgy and catechesis?
Anonymous at 3:01 PM Perhaps It’s not either-or. Your question is like asking whether you pay the electric bill or cook dinner tonight.
I must conclude that a number of people find the Church so horrible that they can’t admit that it does anything right. No good deed goes unpunished, etc. etc.. Why can’t some of us just say “gee, good idea and good luck, let’s hope it all works out for the better?” Negative attitudes are what drive people from the Church.
A holy priest once told me that every parish has five or ten people who always complain about everything, and they get the Pastor’s attention, when in fact they should be ignored and his time spent on the 3-4,000 who are happy with their situation. It usually take a Pastor five or ten years to learn that truth.
We should not worship the earth, but God does call us to be good stewards of the earth. I do think there should be bins or large cans for recyclables at churches. Also, when parishioners have coffee hours and other festivities at churches it is good to take home or give to others the bottles and cans so they can later be recycled if there are no such bins at the churches. Often the homeless and elderly collect such cans and get extra money that way. Whatever works and is helpful to all.