Solar Report from the Creation Justice Committee

The solar array on the roof of our church building became fully operational in mid-July 2023.  As previously reported in August 2023, the array produced 2,240 more kilowatt-hours (kWh) than we used; in September, the array produced 3,440 more kWh than we used; and in October, the array produced 1,920 more kWh electricity than we used.

As expected in November, December, and January, the solar array produced less electricity than we used. In November, we produced 1120 kWh; in December, we produced 560 kWh; and in January, we produced 240 kWh. 

In November, we purchased 2240 kWh from Xcel; in December we purchased ​​​​​5360 kWh; and in January we purchased 6640 kWh.

The church building uses electricity for its lighting, air conditioning, most of its equipment (refrigerator, copier, computers, etc.), and supplemental heating. We still have some pieces of major equipment that use gas; the biggest culprits are the boilers, rooftop heating units, and one of two water heaters (the other was switched to an efficient, hybrid heat-pump unit in 2023).

Initially, over the course of a year, we expect the solar array to produce about 20% more electricity than we use. As we replace our major gas consuming equipment with electric powered equipment, our electricity usage will approach and, perhaps, exceed the solar array’s production.

The solar array on our roof is owned by Lake Street Solar, so we buy our electricity from them. When the array produces less than we need, we purchase additional electricity from Xcel Energy, as needed. When the array produces more than we use, Xcel buys the excess. In 2030, we will have the opportunity to buy the array from Lake Street Solar. If we buy the array, we will no longer pay anything for the electricity it produces. To see an account of the electricity produced by our solar array for the past seven days, see https://monitoringpublic.solaredge.com/solaredge-web/p/kiosk?guid=9bfda8d4-8e0c-40c9-8f00-485e8af5a099

Let the sun shine!