The board would like to give the community an understanding of our new solar power system. Built and installed by Vital Energy, the system consists of 47 commercial solar panels that are about 110% as efficient as residential panels.
There are three inverters so there are three zones. The panels are on the sanctuary upper roof, the sanctuary and Social hall roof, and the room 12/13 [lounge] roof. In trial runs last week it was producing 15 kW per hour with overcast and 25 kW in the sun and this is of course before we have optimal conditions. Over the year it will definitely generate more electricity than we consume, though that won’t be true every single day. But once we start selling power to PG&E, we should be doing really well. Our projected energy consumption for the year is 30,500 kWh and we should produce 36,500 kWh.
As you may be aware, the rate PG&E pays to purchase electricity from solar systems was reduced two years ago, but because we are a nonprofit, we were able to buy a three year extension on that old rate with a very small deposit. So we are at a great advantage in terms of what we should net from PG&E compared to new installations now.
We have financed this through an exchange with Redwood Credit Union, where we’ve made a savings deposit equal to the loan. The interest difference between the savings and the loan is very, very small, definitely less than inflation. In addition, there is an anticipated rebate for a nonprofit grant from the Treasury to put us on more equal footing with tax paying entities. This rebate should come through, but I won’t know that until we see how it all goes with the application and powers that be.
In addition, we were in essence gifted two charging stations located on the wall behind the multipurpose room on the parking lot. Once they are fully up and running, they will be code protected to be utilized only by those congregants who have electric vehicle vehicles and registered with us.
We are finally utilizing the great solar potential we have here at Beth Ami.
