Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Catholic Organization: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Location: Hampton, Virginia, Diocese of Richmond
Leadership: Father John Grace
Timing: July 2019
Opportunities:
Finding ways to use the building to save money
Honoring Laudato Si
Challenges:
No precedent for going solar
Financial barriers to outlay for solar array
Lack of expertise – technical, financial and engineering
Implementation:
Immaculate Conception hired Catholic Energies
Held public meetings to discuss, and secured parish and then Diocese support
Catholic Energies:
Evaluated the project modeling and design
Acquired the investor
Vetted the solar contractor
Negotiated the Power Purchase Agreement
Educated leadership
Oversaw the construction and installation process
Ensured that no capital costs were required of the parish
Results:
440 solar panels were installed
100% of their utility power at a monthly rate offset
14% lower than their prior utility costs
Cut parish energy costs by about $125,000 over the term of the contract
Expectations – to prevent the release of approximately 230 tons of carbon monoxide from its parish facility – the equivalent carbon emissions from 25 homes’ total energy use in one year
First parish in the Diocese to install solar, opening the opportunity for other parishes and Diocese to benefit
Attracting younger adults to the parish by demonstrating the parish’s commitment to future generations
Boosting awareness of the environmental challenges in the region, one of the most vulnerable in the country to tidal loading caused by climate change
For more information: http://www.icchampton.org/solar-at-icc
