Selkirk Parish Church Installs Solar Panels

Members of the Eco-Congregation board met with David Bethune of Selkirk Parish Church on Monday to look at their solar pv (photo voltaic) installation. This generates power which is used within the building with excess being sold back to the grid. The system is rated at 7.2Kw and was generating 4.3 during the visit just as clouds started to come over.

The church building is a category B listed building and listed buildings permission was required.

One of the ideas behind the project was that the solar panels would be a public statement to the town that the church is concerned about these issues. The congregation is keen to be a leader in the local community on environmental issues and is considering how best to redevelop their church hall. It is also not a wealthy congregation, so it shows what can be achieved with enough determination.

Some photographs from the visit:

Here is a summary of the project:

Location: Selkirk Parish Church, High Street, Selkirk, TD7 4JX
Contractor: Sundog Energy, Fairfield House, North Lakes Business Park, Penrith CA11 0BT (and local scaffolding and electrical contractors)

Initial: 
planning permission obtained   11/11/09
listed building permission obtained 11/11/09
approval of General Trustees (through Presbytery)

Design:
40 Romag Powerglaz 180Wp PV modules
coverage 53.5 sq.metres
total capacity 7.2kWp
(almost) south-facing roof, with no shading

Output:
estimated 5,575 Units per annum
= £2012 feed-in tariff income
+ £150 export tarrif

Savings:
estimate 1,500 Units per annum
= £225 reduction in electricity costs

Costs:
Sundog (design, modules, installation) £30,963
Scaffolding £1,800
Electrical works £950
Roof preparation £3784
Total £37,497

Funding:
LCBP2e £17,796
General Trustees loan £14,000
own resources £5,700

Green energy projects could provide income for Church of Scotland congregations

The Herald newspaper is reporting that the Church of Scotland is investigating the potential payback from renewable energy sources.

More here:

http://breakingnews.heraldscotland.com/breaking-news/?mode=article&site=hs&id=N0718781306493843058A

Solar Panels - will your church take up the challenge?

The feed in tariff for solar photo voltaic systems reduces next April. Systems installed before 1st April 2012 will be locked in at the old, higher, rate.

Solar PV is not appropriate for every situation, but if you have already started looking into it now is the time to act. We can provide some support and advice for churches on this so please do get in touch.

This article on commercial solar power generation in France may also be of interest:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/picture/2011/may/26/solar-photovoltaic-france

Importing Solar Energy from the Sahara

The EU contemplates importing solar generated electricity from the Sahara within the next 5 years. Günther Oettinger European Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger said in an interview on Sunday that the EU is hoping to reach its long-term goal of de-carbonising its economy by topping up domestic renewable energy production with solar electricity imports from North Africa. The EU has been investing heavily into alternative energy projects of which
Desertec Industrial Initiative is one of the most prominent. Desertec was launched in July 2009 by 12 companies who agreed to establish financing plans to develop solar projects in the Sahara Desert (EurActiv 22/07/09). The €400 billion project aims to eventually provide 15% of Europe's electricity needs with solar power imported via a high-voltage cable. Please go to the EuroActive website for more information.

Credits

Photo of solar pannel by GreenlaGirl