“Arvada Covenant Church has always made stewardship of God’s resources a priority,” says Ian Thompsen, church administrator. “With our new solar system and upgraded lighting, we’ve taken our commitment to a much higher level.”
The combined efforts will reduce CO2 emissions by more than 140 tons annually – the environmental equivalent of planting 700 trees, says Thompsen. The church hopes to be a role model for the larger community and encourage more awareness of environment issues.
The change also is a matter of good financial stewardship, says Thompsen. The church’s older, inefficient lighting system in the gymnasium was recently upgraded to high efficiency T-8 fluorescent fixtures that will result in a cost savings of approximately $1,000 per year.
The Denver contractor designed and installed a 99.36 kW photovoltaic solar energy system. It incorporates 432 roof-mounted solar PV panels that will produce enough energy to offset a large percentage of the church’s electrical needs.
Savings the first year are expected to exceed $10,000 with a projected savings over 30 years of more than $600,000, Thompsen says. The church is leasing the system, so no church capital expenditures were needed.
© 2013 The Evangelical Covenant Church |