Solar panels for the Mint
We have now assembled sufficient funding for the solar panel project to go ahead, thanks to the funds raised for ‘green’ projects in our 2023 Gift Day, plus grants from the Benefact Trust and Garfield Weston, together with a small
top up from other church funds.]
The project will provide 60 solar panels, 30 on each side of the main worship area roof. The system includes a battery, so that during sunny days, when we are generating more electricity than we are using, the battery will be topped up to supply some of the Mint’s electricity when it is dark. The efficiency of modern solar panels is such that significant electricity can still be generated even when the sun is weak, or it is overcast. When the battery is fully topped up, excess electricity can be exported to our electricity supplier, who will pay a competitive rate for it. With the help of the battery storage, the solar panels are expected to supply around 60% of the Mint’s electricity.
There are two big benefits from this. Firstly, the Mint is committed to caring for creation in all its activities. We know the threat that global warming caused by carbon emissions has for our God-given world. Our Church Council last year agreed a Net Zero Carbon Action Plan, which identified things we can do to reduce the Mint’s carbon footprint – including solar panels. We are pleased that the Mint’s carbon footprint (i.e. its carbon emissions) has fallen a little in each of the two years since we started measuring it. Our solar panels producing zero-carbon electricity will further reduce our carbon footprint by an estimated 3.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
Secondly, the panels will result in a substantial reduction in our energy costs. Our annual electricity bill is estimated to fall by £4,500 (including the income from the surplus energy we generate) – which makes the solar panels a great investment in financial terms as well as in carbon reduction. We are hoping that the panels can be installed during March. This will involve two scaffolding towers at the front entrance, to access each side of the worship area roof, and another in the Well. The actual installation should take place during a single week and will sometimes involve drilling or banging on the Worship area roof and in the Well area. Please bear with the contractors as they do their job, and the result will be very worthwhile. If you are thinking of having solar panels on your own roof, now is a good time to do it as the cost of panels and batteries has been falling and they are getting ever more efficient at
generating and storing electricity.
Martin Easton