|
By David Dranchuk
ALL SAINTS Anglican Church in Mission has become the first church in Canada to install photovoltaic panels.
The panels were funded through a 'Green Building Grant' from VanCity and the Real Estate Foundation of B.C., which provided funding for six renewable energy projects for churches in the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster.
There was a Blessing of the Photovoltaic Panels June 10.
The Mission Fire Department participated in the celebration. They used a fire truck with an extension ladder to hoist the rector of the church, the Rev. Sharon Salomons, to the church's roof, to bless the panels.
The photovoltaic panels, installed by Vancouver Renewable Energy Cooperative, will supplement the church's electricity needs by generating energy from sunlight for lthe only ighting and electrical appliances.
A battery will be able to store electricity for times that sunlight is unavailable. This will also enable the church to provide some emergency power in the event of power outages.
Continue article >>
|
The panels will also be connected to the utility grid, and will be able to send surplus electricity back to the utility provider.
The parish's environmental steward, Brenna Maag said, "We are really excited to have the panels because they are a concrete action in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and they act as a symbol to all of us that change is happening."
All Saints Anglican Church was founded in 1901 and its current building was built in 1946.
"As on older building, it is even more important for us to be mindful of energy efficiency" stated church warden Leanne LaChappelle.
Salomons added, "We are delighted to be moving in this direction. We believe that God calls us to be responsible stewards of all of creation.
"In one small way, we are now making a difference in d rawing on a renewable energy source.
"We hope that others will feel inspired to do likewise."
For more details about this topic, contact All Saints Anglican Church at 604-826-2814 or allsaints_mission@telus.net.
July 2007
|
