Guide to Going Solar - Greening Sacred Spaces

GSS Guide to Going Solar
About the Guide
Contents
Introduction
A.
Why Go Solar?
B.
The Basics of Solar PV
C.
The Green Energy Act
D.
Choosing a Vendor
E.
Financing Your Project
F.
Going Solar at in your place of worship
Each section contains a “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) section and a
“Web Resources” section with a list of links.
Our Thanks
The revision of this guide was made possible by an Education and Capacity Building
Grant from Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator.
Greening Sacred Spaces would also like to extend their appreciation and thanks to the
Mennonite Central Committee Ontario (MCCO), and especially Darren Kropf, for
allowing us to adapt their guide previously entitled “MISE Guide for Going Solar”.
Without their help and support, this guide would not have been created.
For More Information
Contact Greening Sacred Spaces’ Energy Coordinator:
David Patterson –– [email protected]
http://www.greeningsacredspaces.net
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INTRODUCTION
Faith & the Common Good (FCG) is a network of people from different faiths and
cultures who call Canada home and believe in working towards the common good. In
essence, seeking common ground for the common good. As people of different faith
traditions, we affirm common values of peace, participation, human rights, ecological
inter-relationship, eco-sustainability and compassion for all beings as cornerstones of a
healthy society. Seeking the common good in Canada is a tradition long-lived by people
who have struggled to be in community across the rugged beauty of this vast land. For
millennia people have made this land their home, often facing a harsh climate and barren
conditions yet finding ways to survive and co-exist peacefully.
We seek common ground for the common good by working together with all people of
goodwill to:
• Foster local inter-faith dialogue, education, organizing and action across Canada; and
reaching out around the globe;
• Create education/action resources (learner-centred, multi-media Resources), and
• Relate regional inter-faith/inter-cultural concerns into public policy processes through
our work on the Green Rule and Greening Sacred Spaces;
Through dialogue, research, network building, education, and advocacy, we are building
a process to bring the diversity of Canadian perspectives into a voice of common concern
for social, economic and ecological well-being for all.
This guide is part of Faith & the Common Good (and its Greening Sacred Spaces
program)’s larger effort to engage faith communities and their key decision makers
across Ontario in a revival of renewable energy development by:
1. Increasing knowledge sharing about renewable energy development among
Ontario’s diverse faith communities
2. Raising Ontario-wide awareness about the inspiring role faith communities of all
backgrounds are playing in contributing to a clean energy future
This guide is designed to assist all faiths install solar energy systems. Many similar
questions and themes have become clear in determining what resources are needed.
Rather than going it alone, we hope this guide will empower many people to transition to
sustainable power sources en masse.
There is strength in community wisdom, and each member of your community can
contribute their ideas and expertise to the GSS Going Solar program.
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A. WHY GO SOLAR?
Your Faith and the Environment
Why are faith communities promoting solar energy?
In this age of environmental awareness, one might mistakenly think that faith
communities have just hopped on the “green bandwagon.” In fact, lots of faith groups
have been working on “environmental issues and seeking to be more sustainable in their
practices for decades. In the 1960s and 1970s people of faith became concerned about
polluting the planet and the need to be conservers rather than just consumers of resources
and products. Alarm bells were rung about the nuclear industry and its potential harm to
the environment by its waste and the potential for disaster (Chernobyl). By the 1980s
destroying the ozone layer was an issue that faith communities rallied public support to
ban CFCs. Since the 1990s climate change has increasingly been recognized as an issue
that needs our attention. So being good stewards of earth is inherent in all our faith
traditions and is of even more relevance today as we deepen our understanding of the
harm we are doing to the earth and also learning how to live in new interdependent ways.
Investing in solar power is part of this movement towards a new healthier relationship
with earth. While living within the bounds of the finite resources of the earth is a first
principle, utilizing the natural, renewable gifts to us like sunshine is both good
stewardship and a clean, healthy way forward. As solar technology continues to develop
we’ll soon be able to meet most of our energy needs through this resource. Add wind and
a few other innovations and we are a long way to solving the carbon problem.
People of faith need to continue to be community leaders in both acknowledging the
problems we’ve inadvertently created by our consuming and fossil-fuelled energy needs
and be leaders in promoting alternative ways forward. These options are available. It is
our role to adopt them for ourselves, our faith communities, and encourage them in the
broader community.
Join with Greening Sacred Spaces and over 130 faith communities already invested in a
solar future to see how your faith in action can be lived this way.
Richards Memorial United Church and their 10 kW microFIT installation
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B. THE BASICS OF SOLAR PV
Renewable energy is generated using a resource or fuel that will not run out – it is
continually being regenerated by the natural cycles of earth. The most common forms of
renewable energy are solar, wind, bioenergy and waterpower. Among these, solar energy
has the greatest potential energy available for us to harness.
Ironically, nearly all of our energy is derived from the sun. Even fossil fuel energy has
been created thanks to the sun’s heating and cooling effect on the earth over many years.
In the past, most societies relied directly on sun energy to grow food, which in turn fueled
human and animal energy to perform the majority of society’s services. Today, this is
only a fraction of our energy demands as we’ve exploited oil, natural gas and coal to a
massive scale. Knowing that these sources will only get scarcer, not to mention the
negative impacts on the environment, our challenge is to once again harness the sun’s
energy more directly. The solar energy technologies available today help us to do just
that.
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) technology converts the sun’s radiant energy directly into
electricity. Silicon, a semiconductor material (also used to make computer chips), is the
component of solar cells that makes electricity generation possible. Radiant energy from
the sun in the form of photons bump electrons of the silicon out of orbit around
their nuclei, creating a flow of electrons known as Direct Current (DC) electricity.
How Your Power Gets to the Grid
Source: Ourpower.ca
Sun hits your south-facing solar panels generating Direct Current (DC) electricity that
flows to your inverter, which converts it to Alternating Current (AC) electricity for export
through an export meter to the electrical grid. You sell every kWh you produce, and you
buy electricity from the grid through your import meter for use in your home at the going
electricity rate.
FAQ
What are the environmental benefits?
A 2kW system will reduce 1.4 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, equivalent to:
229 litres of gasoline
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1,943 km of driving
163 acres of forest carbon capture
Source: ourpower.ca
How many years for energy payback by a PV system to offset the energy used to
produce the panel?
According to the German Solar Industry Association, it takes approximately 3 to 4 years
for a photovoltaic installation to generate enough power to equal the amount of power it
takes to manufacture the panels.
Are panels recyclable?
Although there is no formal recycling program in place for panels, parts of panels may be
recycled separately where programs exist. If no toxic materials are present in tempered
glass panels, the glass can be recycled. The aluminum frame and the silicon based
photovoltaic cells are also recyclable – http://www.pvcycle.org/pv-recycling/recyclingof-si/
Does Ontario get enough sun to make solar viable?
Yes! The cold weather of Canada does not impact solar PV, as it is the sunlight that
generates electricity, not heat (in fact, warm temperatures lower efficiencies). Ontario has
better sun exposure than Germany, the world leader in solar energy, and similar exposure
as Miami, Florida over a full year. As expected, there is some variation according to
region in Ontario:
Solar Potential (per installed KW)
kWh
Source: Natural Resources Canada, PV Potential and Solar Resource Maps of Canada
What are the maintenance requirements?
There is almost no maintenance required for a rooftop PV solar system. Rain will keep
the panels clean and there are no moving parts to break down. After winter snowfalls the
panels will heat up during daytime sunlight creating a water slick that will cause the snow
to slide off the panels.
How does weather affect the panels?
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Panels are generally quite durable and built to resist the elements. Hail should not have an
impact on your system. In the winter, panels may get covered in snow though will
generally slide off within 24 hours once a water slick is created underneath the snow
cover. You may need to brush off the panels after a very heavy snowfall.
How important is it for a rooftop to face directly south?
Even where a roof is not oriented to the sun, there may still be opportunities to mount
panels on poles, racks or other equipment. Every degree that a panel is not oriented to
maximize exposure, will translate to losses in the productivity of a system. However, a
roof orientation from south-east to south-west will not see a significant decline in solar
electricity production (approx. 5%). There will be more of a reduction in power
generation for east and west orientations (approx. 25%).
What if my roof or shingles needs repairing?
You should do the repairs first. It is possible to take off the panels and remount them, but
at a measurable cost.
Does the system connect to my current meter?
No, a new export meter will be installed.
Do I have to sell the energy to the grid?
No. You can also install battery systems that are completely off the grid or net-metered
systems where you use the energy generated directly and take from the grid when needed.
Except for very unique circumstances (cottage/rural setting or altruistic reasons) all solar
PV projects will sell the energy to the grid to take advantage of the premium rates that
make these projects financially viable.
Can I use my solar panels as a back-up power source in the case of a grid failure?
Generally, no. For safety reasons, the inverter will sense the grid failure and cut off the
PV system. If back-up power is a priority, you would need to install batteries and not sell
the energy to the grid under the microFIT program and miss out on the financial
incentives the program offers.
What size of system should I get?
When selling the energy to the grid, you can get any size of system you choose. The only
limitations are your budget and space. Each installed kW costs approximately $2500 $5000 (depending on the size of the system) and takes about 75 square feet in space.
Are there other types of solar energy besides PV?
Yes. Solar hot water systems are the most common applications besides solar PV. They
do not qualify for premium rates under the Green Energy Act (since they preheat water,
not generate electricity) but there are some grants available. Typically, these systems are
a smaller capital investment, but a longer-payback. Because the process for installing
these systems is much simpler, this resource guide does not address solar hot water.
7
There are also solar pool heaters and solar space heating technologies available for
unique applications. Contact the Canadian Solar Industry (www.cansia.ca) to learn more
about these applications.
Should I get an energy audit first?
Yes, conserving energy is always more effective than generating energy from both an
environmental and financial perspective. To find an organization that conducts energy
audits in your region, see www.greencommunitiescanada.org.
Bettilyn Berglund, just after the installation of their microFIT PV project on the roof of First United
Church, Owen Sound
WEB RESOURCES
The Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (www.ontario-sea.org) serves the
Community Power sector in Ontario including households, farms, First Nations, cooperatives and collaborative businesses, local distribution companies, municipalities, and
other institutions through: advocacy, public outreach and capacity building. They have
many helpful resources on their website, including a list of common acronyms, a primer
on solar energy and a solar PV community action manual.
The Canadian Solar Industries Association (www.cansia.ca) represents the interests of its
members by working to increase the use of solar energy in Canada
The Pembina Institute (www.pembina.org) seeks to advance sustainable energy solutions
through innovative research, education, consulting and advocacy. Its Renewable is
Doable (www.renewableisdoable.com) program lays out a plan to increase renewable
energy in Ontario’s electricity mix.
The Community Energy Partnership Program (CEPP), is a grant program to support
community power in Ontario. They assist community power projects through funding
support of up to $100,000. Funding opportunities for renewable energy education
projects are also now available to assist not-for-profit, charitable and co-operative
organizations in Ontario. (http://www.communityenergyprogram.ca/Home.aspx)
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C. THE GREEN ENERGY ACT/FEED IN TARIFF
On May 14, 2009 the Ontario government passed Bill 150, the Green Energy and
Economy Act. The purpose of this Act is to facilitate the development of a sustainable
energy economy that protects the environment while streamlining the approvals process,
mitigates climate change, engages communities and builds a world-class green industrial
sector. This act draws on successful legislation in many European countries and
integrates it with local Ontario realities.
The centrepiece of the Green Energy Act is the Feed in Tariff (FIT) program – the first
guaranteed pricing structure for renewable electricity production in North America. It
offers stable prices under long-term contracts for energy generated from renewable
sources. It is managed by the Ontario Power Authority (now IESO – Independent
Electricity System Operator). By encouraging the development of renewable energy in
Ontario, the FIT Program has and will:
• help Ontario phase out coal-fired electricity generation by 2014 - the largest
climate change initiative in Canada
• boost economic activity and the development of renewable energy technologies
• create new green industries and jobs.
This act is a significant departure from the large-scale, centralized power systems that
have been dominant in the past decades. Switching from coal to renewable energy is
significant in terms of climate change, but it also marks a shift in who generates power
and who benefits from that generation. Because renewable energy systems are smaller in
nature, they have the opportunity to be community owned and managed – with the
benefits brought to the entire community. How might our consumption of energy change
if we had a direct hand in generating it? How can we ensure all members of the
community, especially the marginalized, benefit from community-based energy systems?
These are questions your faith community can play a prominent role in asking and
responding to.
FAQ
What is the difference between the FIT and MicroFIT programs?
The philosophy of each program remains the same – offering a guaranteed price structure
for renewable energy projects. However, small systems such as residential rooftop
require different rules than large-scale projects like a wind farm, for obvious reasons. All
projects less than 10kW follow the MicroFIT rules, and any projects over that size to a
maximum of 500 kW follows the FIT rules.
Why shouldn’t I wait until prices of solar panels come down?
The rates of the microFIT program have been intentionally chosen to yield a reasonable
return on investment. As prices inevitably come down, those rates will be readjusted (for
all new projects) to keep that same return when the pricing structure is reviewed every
two years. Therefore, there will never be a better economic situation than what we have
today.
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Why would the government pay 38.4 cents for solar power?
That price was set as the appropriate level to stimulate the solar energy industry, in order
to create jobs and increase the renewable energy supply. There are also cost advantages
to a decentralized grid system (as compared to a centralized system dependent on nuclear
or coal) as the power can be generated close to the demand sites.
What if I move before the contract is up?
You will assign your microFIT contract to the new owner. When you are selling your
home, it is up to you (and your real estate agent) to determine the value of the microFIT
project. Consult the IESO for the transfer of the contract. Alternatively you can lease
back the roof space from the new owner and maintain ownership of the solar panels and
the income that they generate.
What if the government changes and they cancel the FIT program?
All completed contracts are legally bound and would be honoured.
Can community organizations take advantage of the FIT and microFIT program?
Yes! Many organizations are starting solar projects in order to share the costs and risks
while contributing to the development of renewable energy within their community. Cooperatives between farmers and urban-dwellers, family members and community players
are also becoming commonplace. Even if your home isn’t suited for solar, there are still
many opportunities to get involved.
WEB RESOURCES
The IESO (http://fit.powerauthority.on.ca/what-feed-tariff-program ) manages supply and
demand of Ontario’s electricity system. It was commissioned by the Ontario
government’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (www.mei.gov.on.ca/en) to create
the Feed in Tariff program. The Green Energy Act Alliance (www.greenenergyact.ca)
was the major lobbyist calling for the Green Energy Act.
The Anglican Parish of Huntley, successfully installed a 9.4 kW microFIT project
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D. CHOOSING A VENDOR
The solar industry in Ontario is rapidly changing in response to the Green Energy Act.
New companies are starting, existing companies are opening solar divisions and longtime solar companies are rapidly expanding. This is good news for the renewable energy
industry and for consumers. It does mean, however, that you need to do your homework
to ensure your project is successful.
When choosing a vendor, there are a number of community-based organizations that are
helping individuals select a vendor. Some of these organizations have vetted potential
vendors, selected the most qualified and then funnel interested parties to them in
exchange for bulk discount rates. Even if you don’t decide to purchase through these
organizations, it is worth connecting with them to learn more about the options available
in your region. Currently, there are groups in Toronto (ourpower.ca), Waterloo
(crewzone.ca), and Northumberland County (gogreentogether.ca).
There are advantages and disadvantages to the “bulk-buy” approach that won’t be
explored here. GSS is not in a position to recommend one business over another.
GSS recommends following standard criteria for selecting contractors when choosing a
vendor, such as getting three quotes and checking references. There are some solarspecific questions you should ask as well:
• Do you have experience installing small renewable energy projects in Ontario or
other jurisdictions? Can you provide a list of past customers who would be willing to
provide references?
• Are your installers qualified to install the project? Do they meet all necessary safety
regulations, licensing and certification requirements?
• Are you registered with the Better Business Bureau?
• Do you provide warranties on your labour and products?
• Do you have general liability insurance to cover property damage or injury?
• Do you have any pending or active legal judgements against your company?
• In addition to the installation, what other services do you provide? What are the costs
of these services?
• If I have a problem with my system, will you service it?
• If I order from you today, when can I expect my project to be installed?
• What are your payment terms?
• Will you assess my property to ensure that the system is installed at an optimal
location? For example, will you ensure that my solar PV system is not in a shaded
area?
• Will you order all the required equipment for the project? What is the full cost of the
total installation?
• What are the ongoing operating and maintenance costs I can expect and who will be
responsible for them?
• Will you arrange for all necessary approvals and permits? This includes:
• building permits
• authorization to connect from the Electrical Safety Authority
11
•
•
• renewable energy approval, if required.
Will you work with my local distribution company to arrange for connection to the
grid? This includes:
• preparing the connection configuration diagrams
• arranging for payment of the connection costs
• helping prepare the connection agreement with the local distribution company
• arranging for installation and testing of the meter.
Will you help me prepare my microFIT Program application?
Hillcrest Mennonite Church in New Hamburg, Ontario installed a 9.87 kW ground mounted tracking
system
FAQ
Where do I get started?
Make yourself familiar with the microFIT rules, application process and resources on the
IESO website. When you have a decent grasp of what is involved, begin contacting
vendors. Don’t forget to attend a GSS solar energy information event!
Can I trust a vendor to provide an unbiased site assessment of my property?
Generally, businesses will not survive by taking advantage of customers, though a small
minority may attempt to do so. There are a number of self assessment tools available that
would be worth doing yourself and then comparing to the assessment done by a vendor.
Also, some regions - Toronto (ourpower.ca), Waterloo (reepwaterlooregion.ca) - have
organizations that will perform third-party assessments for a small fee.
Are all panels made the same?
No. Like any product, there are different manufacturers and technological variances that
will affect quality and price. Do your research on the available options and seek out early
adopters and industry experts for their expertise.
What type of warranty should I ask for?
Manufacturer warranties for solar panels and inverters are typically 20-25 years
(conveniently the same time period as a microFIT contract), though the panels are known
to last up to 40 years. Some inverters may have a shorter warranty of 5-10 years. A
minimum one year installation warranty is recommended.
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E.
FINANCING YOUR PROJECT
Faith Communities across Ontario have come up with many creative ways to finance
their Solar PV projects as very few have the funds available to finance the upfront capital
costs. Faith Communities are not limited to any one type of fund raising activity. As can
be seen in the chart below, many communities have relied on multiple types of financing
in order to raise the capital that they require. For example, the Anglican Parish of
Huntley was able to finance their solar microFIT project through a cooperative model, the
borrowing of funds from the Church and Parish, parishioner donations and grants
received from the Ottawa Sustainability Fund.
Listed below are the primary financing mechanisms that Faith Communities have used to
fund their projects.
Finance Type
Examples of Faith Communities
Debentures
•
Co-operative Model
Loans (no interest and low interest)
from Municipalities, Faith
Community Governing Bodies, Banks
or Internal Trust Funds
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Donations/Grants/ Fund raising
campaigns
•
Neighbourhood Unitarian
Universalist Congregation
First United Church
Hillcrest Mennonite Church
Parish of Huntley
Ignatius Jesuit Centre
Hillcrest Mennonite Church
Laidlaw Memorial United
Church
Richards Memorial United
Church
Parish of Huntley
Parish of Huntley
Ahmaddiyya Muslim
Community
The Monastery of Mount
Carmel
An example of a loan from a Faith Communities governing body or organization is the
Toronto
United
Church
Council’s
Sustainability
Energy
Loan
Fund
(http://www.tucc.ca/uploads/self%20information.pdf) that provides 5 year no interest
loans to qualifying Toronto based United Churches. The loan offers a 5 year 0% loan,
and amounts range from $5,000 - $50,000. The rate is fixed for the first 5 year term and
is then reviewed prior to the start of the second 5 year term.
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Sample Financing –
• 10 kW microFIT installation
• microFIT Rate – $0.384/kWh
• 10 year amortization
(all numbers are conservatively estimated and for this guide only)
SELF
FUND
•
Loan
Amount
Interest Rate
Monthly Payment
$30,000
0%
$250.00
Prime +3%
Green
Energy
Bank Loan
$30,000
5.85%
$330.81
System
Size
Cost
Annual Yield in kWh
Annual Income*
Avg. Monthly Income*
10 kW
$30,000
11,000
$4,224
$352
10 kW
$30,000
11,000
$4,224
$352
Payoff
Monthly Profit
$102
$21.19
(System Income minus
Loan Payment)
Accumulated Profit
$12,240.00 $2,542.80
(after 10 yr loan is
paid)
Gross Profit
$54,480.00 $44,782.80
Banks that provide financing for renewable energy micro/FIT contracts:
http://www.kci-newenergy.ca/solar-financing
FIT projects
For the development of large solar projects (> 10 kW < 500 kW) for the purpose of
applying for a FIT contract, Faith Communities have the advantage of being able to apply
to the Community Energy Partnerships Program (CEPP), which is a grant program for
renewable energy project education and development. The CEPP program is intended to
help Community Power projects through the early stages of project development:
• Grants cover costs from Design & Development and Regulatory Approvals stage of
projects
• Maximum total Project grant is up to $100,000 per project
• CEPP will cover up to 90% of the actual costs of each eligible activity (soft costs)
• Only restriction on other funding is cannot obtain funding from another IESO
administered program, including the Aboriginal Energy Partnerships Program
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For more information on this program, please visit:
http://www.communityenergyprogram.ca/Home.aspx
FAQ
How does a debenture system work?
One financial model is to sell debentures to the community. Usually at a $1000
increment, the debentures then yield a pre-set rate of return for those who invested in the
project. The money earned from selling the energy is used to make the yearly payments.
At the end of ten or twenty years, the debentures are returned (or asked to be donated for
a tax receipt!). A sample contract from Neighbourhood Unitarian is available from GSS.
What is a co-op?
Co-operatives (or "co-ops") are organizations owned by their members who use their
services or purchase their products. Co-ops can provide virtually any product or service,
and can be either non-profit or for-profit enterprises. The co-operative sector keeps
dollars circulating within the local economy, provides secure employment and is a means
to revitalize and sustain healthy communities.
For more information on co-operatives in Ontario, please visit:
• http://www.ontario.coop/
For information on the Guelph Solar Community Co-op and their project with the
Ignatius Jesuit centre, please vist.
• http://www.guelphsolar.ca/index.html
Are there grants available for faith community projects?
There may be grants available depending on the nature of your installation and your
region. Contact GSS for help in finding applicable grants.
Are banks loaning money for renewable energy projects?
Many banks are now offering loans for renewable energy projects. TD Canada Trust is
now offering a Green Mortgage loan and RBC offers an Energy Saver Loan. Both loans
can go towards renewable energy projects. For more information, consider approaching
your financial institution to discuss any options they might provide.
Is the income taxable?
A homeowner’s MicroFIT contract with the IESO makes them a “business” in the eyes of
the Canada Revenue Agency. Revenue must be reported annually (T2125 - Statement of
Business or Professional Activities).
However, being a business allows you to depreciate the full cost of your system against
the revenue it generates under the MicroFIT contract. This allows you to fully offset the
tax on the revenue for 10 years or more.
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Additionally, if you borrow money to finance all or part of your solar PV system, the
interest paid each year can be treated as an expense for income tax purposes. Except if
you add the cost of the system to your current mortgage. Maintenance or replacement
costs (and inverter for example), extra house or liability insurance, and local distribution
account fees can also all be claimed as expenses of the business.
Example:
You paid $30,000 for the purchase and installation of a 10 kW system and you
earn $4,224 each year from the sale of power. Assume that you have additional
costs per year of: insurance $50, account management fee $100, and maintenance
contract $100.
Annual Revenue:
$1950
Annual Deductions: Insurance
$ 50
Account Management
$ 100
Maintenance Contract
$ 100
Depreciation
$ 3,974*
Total
$4,224
* Depreciation is calculated for total deductions = revenue. A loss is not allowed to be
claimed on the system.
Depreciating at $3,974 per year means it will take 7.5 years before the total cost of the
system is depreciated and any tax will be due. If you borrow some of the investment or
have other annual costs, then you will have more years of zero tax.
You are strongly encouraged to consult with the Canada Revenue Agency, a tax advisor
and/or your accountant to ensure proper accounting procedures are followed.
Will my property taxes go up?
The Ontario Ministry of Finance has directed that adding a renewable energy system
shall NOT affect property value assessments for tax purposes. A higher price would be
used as the basis for assessment if a higher house purchase price was paid because it has
a solar PV system and contract.
Source: www.sustainableottawa.ca
Will my insurance company insure the panels?
The insurance industry is not unified in their approach to solar installations at this point.
Being seen as a business has implications that may not allow for coverage under existing
homeowner policies. Readers should consult with their insurance company before taking
any steps in this guide.
What additional fees can I expect?
Additional fees may include:
• Local Distribution Company (LDC) costs: Connection fee (one-time),
administration fee (one-time), and account fee (monthly expense)
• Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) permit and inspection
• Building permit
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•
•
•
engineering designs, structural or building modifications
insurance
possible new government or regulatory requirements that are not currently in
effect
Will the energy/revenue produced by my system be the same every year?
There will be minor variances from year to year. You can also expect a slow decline in
the output of the solar panels, on the order of 0.5% decline per year.
The Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Toronto installed a 22.80 FIT project
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F.
GOING SOLAR IN YOUR FAITH COMMUNITY
Many faith communities are embracing the call to be better caretakers of earth. Through
worship and education, dialogue and action, the seeds for renewal are being planted. We
must never forget that living in right relationship with earth does not come from a
technology. Values that are central to a sustainable future - like simplicity, sharing,
generosity, community – are nurtured through a lively and vibrant spirituality. As these
values are nurtured, we seek and implement creative ways while at worship..
Installing solar panels in your faith community is a tangible way to witness our faith
values of caring for earth. Not only do they send a positive message to the members of
your congregation, they are also a visible witness to the local community. This is an
opportunity for your faith community to take genuine leadership in a society that knows
changes are needed, but is struggling to know where to start.
Here are some suggested steps for implementing a solar energy project at your Faith
Community.
• Every good idea starts with a committee! A dedicated individual or two will be
needed to move the project forward. This may be a formal committee already existing
(eg. Trustees or Missions) or a new ad-hoc committee.
• Start with education. Successful projects will flow from a firm theological grounding.
Many resources are available to you.
• Get your faith community leadership on board. Make sure your faith leaders have
adequate opportunity to learn about the proposed project and ask questions before
going very far in the process. In particular, present your proposal to the Facilities and
Finance committees as they will both be directly responsible for implementing the
project.
• Host information meetings for your congregation. This is your opportunity to present
your vision and ask for feedback. Be sure to include: your reasons why this is
important, how solar panels work, how to fund the project, etc. Be sure to leave lots
of opportunity for people to ask questions and raise concerns. You may need several
of these meetings before submitting a final proposal for vote.
• Create a solid business plan. People want clear numbers and a well-thought plan to
make informed decisions. If this isn’t your strength, find someone who can help you.
• Be creative with the revenue stream. Once any loans are paid off, how will the
community use the annual revenue from selling to the grid? Overseas renewable
development projects? Local environmental care ministry? Expanding the project?
Contributing to the general budget? This is a great opportunity to get everyone
excited about the possibilities!
• Share your story with others. Engage the local media so your entire community can
learn from your leadership. Perhaps you’ll even host tours for people to see the panels
up close and ask questions. Let your little light shine!
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FAQ
Have any other Faith Communities gone solar?
Yes! Many faith communities have gone solar over the past few years. GSS can help
connect you with many congregations who have gone solar to learn from them and share
ideas. Please visit: http://www.greeningsacredspaces.net/ for information on many of
these communities.
What if our faith community is struggling to meet its budget and can’t afford
another fundraising effort?
The reality is some faith communities simply do not have the financial capacity (or the
correct site) for a solar energy project. However, it is possible to go solar without adding
to the financial strain. You may choose to finance the entire project and use the earnings
from a MicroFIT contract to pay down the loan. When the loan is paid off a number of
years from now, you will still have years of income for life-giving ministry AND
contributed to greenhouse gas reductions and visible leadership at no financial cost to the
faith community in the meantime!
Are there grants available for solar projects?
There may be grants or loans available depending on the nature of your installation and
your region and religious denomination. Contact GSS for help in finding applicable
grants.
Will the MicroFIT income impact our charitable status?
No. The microFIT program is no different than a faith community renting out its space.
A faith community that retrofits its building to generate electricity is not running a
business but using their facilities to further their purposes of their charitable entity and
values. Consult your accountant to confirm.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Maple, Ontario assisted with the installation of PV panels in various countries
throughout Africa
WEB RESOURCES
Greening Sacred Spaces (www.greeningsacredspaces.net) has a solar faith initiative that
includes a faith community self-assessment tool and a step-by-step guide. It also provides
resources on energy audits for faith buildings, including financing options.
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