Ever since I served as your President, I’ve wanted to continue the discussion about our solar panels.  Thanks to John Semmelhack’s expertise and industry, we have some facts to share.  Thanks to others “who were there,” we have some history and perspective to share.  So on Earth Day 2017, as we approach the 5-year anniversary of our solar panels, I offer some results, the cost and return on investment compared to expectations, a look at the decision process, and a look forward.

Results:  Since the panels were installed, in May of 2012, they

• have generated about 61,500kWh of electricity
• are producing about 25% of our electrical energy use for the main church building.
• have saved TJMC approximately $7,700 on our Dominion Power utility bills
• have let us avoid the production of about 34 tons of CO2 emissions, compared to electricity purchased through Dominion Power. This is equivalent to avoiding about 100,000 miles of driving in a typical car!
• have been seen in the Charlottesville community as a sign of our commitment to environmental sensitivity and the work of eco-justice

Cost and Return on Investment compared to Expectations:

In 2012, we spent $65,080 on the solar installation; we got a state rebate of $24,456.55; the net cost for the solar installation was $40,523.45. We had projected a 17-year pay out and we’re more on track for a 24-year pay out unless we can improve the yield. Thanks to John Semmelhack’s expertise in the field and his research, we know that the energy production from the panels met our projections over the first two years, but that it fell below expectations during 2015 and 2016.

The solar panels have another 20 years on their warranty, although they are expected to last significantly longer.  And we can reach out to Altenergy, the company that originally installed the panels, to see if there are ways to boost their productivity, which would increase our savings and positive environmental impact, while reducing the length of time it will take to recoup our investment.

The Decision Process

One of my reasons for wishing to revisit this with you is that I have been so aware of the different ways this decision was, and is, interpreted within our Beloved Community.

As noted in the 2012 Annual Congregational Meeting, the Board’s decision to purchase the solar array has catalyzed important, fundamental questions within our congregation. There are many truths here, and they include:

• The board acted from principle and values, in special resonance with our Seventh Principle, guided by our Green Sanctuary work. The board acted within the authority delegated to it by the congregation. It acted quickly to claim a rebate.
• Some people thought that the board should have brought such a big decision to the congregation.
• Some people thought that emptying our reserve account was a mistake.

Moving Forward

So as we say Happy Anniversary to our solar panels, we may have some reconciliation of our own to do.  If you were one who brought these panels to us, I say Thank you. If you were hurt by unexpected criticism of your actions, I say I am sorry.  Please forgive, if you haven’t already. If you were hurt by this decision or process that you considered to be wrong, I say I am sorry.  Please forgive, if you haven’t already.

We’re in this together. We are unlikely to leave this earth wishing we’d done less for our earth. We, all of us, deserve to be proud of the solar panels that sit on our roof, generating electricity, minimizing C02 emissions, sparkling in the sun, telling our Forever Green story and honoring our Seventh Principle.

Happy Anniversary, TJMC Solar Panels.  Blessed Be.