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Archives Solar panels show ‘respect for God’s creation’

July 30, 2014

By Mary Lou Kilian
Editor

Ogdensburg  – As Catholics, “we should foster a deep respect for the sacredness of God’s creation,” said Bishop Terry R. LaValley July 17 as he blessed an array of solar panels that have been installed in the back yard of his residence.

The solar panels, set up by Triangle Electrical Systems, Inc., Plattsburgh, are expected to produce approximately 11,300 kilowatt hours of electricity to the house.  The panels will reduce the electric bill to the residence, reduce the building’s carbon footprint and utilize renewable energy.

“The solar panels are good economically, environmentally, and spiritually,” explained Bishop LaValley, but the savings on the electric bills are just a “minor motivation” in installing the solar panel system.

“The major motivation for going green is to give witness to what can be done to create a more sustainable future that is consistent with God’s intention for a world that can be judged to be ‘very good’ by present and future generations,” said Bishop LaValley.

Caring for the world and being good stewards of God’s gifts is central to Catholic spirituality, he said.

Faith and Ecology group
Bishop LaValley credits Father Paul Beyette, a retired priest of the Diocese of Ogdensburg who now lives in Loon Lake, and the diocesan Faith and Ecology Group for bringing solar power to his attention.

“Father Beyette invited me to meet with the Faith and Ecology Group to discuss alternative energy sources and our Christian responsibility to care for our environment,” the bishop said. “They were very knowledgeable and passionate about alternate energy, and convinced me that I could and should model sound environmental and spiritual leadership by going green.”

The Faith and Ecology group was well represented at the solar panel blessing.

Father Beyette, who says he has lived “off the grid since 1972,” called the day “one of the most joyful and fulfilling days of my life.”

“The role of the Church is crucial in the care of creation,” the priest said. “Pope Benedict in 2008 made possible solar energy for the Vatican State. Now Bishop LaValley is drawing attention to the care of creation by his actions today.”

“I hope this will start a revolution of solar projects in the Diocese of Ogdensburg and the North Country,” Father Beyette said. “I hope there will be thousands of installations in the near future.

The solar panel benefits

Triangle Electric designed the solar panel project, obtained approval from National Grid and prepared a grant application to secure partial funding for the project from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. 

With the capacity to generate 11,308 kilowatt hours of electricity, the electrical bill at the house is expected to be reduced by approximately $1,500 per year, saving about $37,307 in electrical costs over the warranted lifetime of the solar panels.

The solar panel system will allow the diocese to benefit from all the electricity it produces, even if it is not used right away. 

The electric meter which accommodates the solar panels runs forwards and backwards. 

When the house is drawing electricity from the grid, the meter runs forward creating a charge from National Grid, the electrical supplier in Ogdensburg. 

When the house uses all the electricity produced by the solar panels and does not draw from the grid, the meter does not move at all.

When there is more electricity produced by the solar panels than the house needs at any given time, the meter turns backwards as the electricity is put into the grid which creates a credit from National Grid for that electricity.

“I am excited about the solar panels,” stated Bishop LaValley.  “It is one way of responding to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s call for the Church ‘to take care of creation and to share its resources in solidarity.’”

“I hope that this is just the first step in helping us as a Church give witness to our respect for the environment and our stewardship in preserving the resources of God’s creation for future generations,” he said.

Solar Solar

Photos by Betty Steele
Bishop Terry R. LaValley blessed solar panels that have been installed in his back yard during a July 17 ceremony. Above, he is shown with Father Paul Beyette and members of the diocesan Faith and Ecology group who encouraged the bishop to  pursue the alternate energy system.

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