We respect the interdependent web of existence and from this respect flows our commitment to environmental sustainability. The UU Church of Canton has an opportunity to “go solar.” The Environmental Action Committee (EAC) requested a presentation by John Charamella of Apex Solar after which the EAC made a potential solar project proposal to Church Council. Church Council decided to solicit interest as a first step in determining feasibility.
It is possible for the church to obtain 100% of our annual electrical demand from a solar photovoltaic (PV) array. Such array would not be located on church property at 3½ East Main Street, but would be on a separate parcel and connected to the electrical distribution system owned by National Grid. This is known as remote net metering.
Implementing this project would require cooperation, coordination, a legal structure and, most importantly, a commitment to make a long-term investment that can result in a significant rate of return.
The project would require the following:
1. An investor: a community member who is willing to provide the capital and site for the project in return for a long-term revenue stream provided by the sale of the electricity.
2. Willingness of this investor to accept an internal rate of return of 4.5% to 6%.
3. A limited liability corporation (LLC) formed by the investor(s).
4. A long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) between the church and the LLC.
The church would make payments to the investor’s LLC at a contracted rate that is presumed lower than the projected market price of electricity.
To achieve maximum savings, the church could purchase the array after the end of year #6. This would result in savings to the church on the order of $35,000 to $40,000 over 30 years (the estimated useful life of the array).
Church Council is seeking expressions of interest from potential investors at this time. A technical and financial outline of the project is found here. Those interested will receive additional information prior to further action by the church or the investor. Please contact the Church Office at office@uucantonny.org or 315-386-2498 by Monday, May 15.