Solar at Green Lake Church

Jen Astion from St Andrew’s Church (111 NE 80^th St) writes:

St. Andrew’s Church near Green Lake will be the first Episcopal church in Seattle to produce its own clean energy when it installs solar panels startingFebruary 2, 2015. St. Andrew’s church has worked since 2008 to increase its energy efficiency and wants to decrease its carbon footprint even more by producing its own solar energy. This project is funded by the congregation and benefits from production incentives from Seattle City Light and a grant from the bishop.

The initiative taken by St. Andrew’s Church to install solar panels is not only commendable but also serves as a shining example for other religious institutions and individuals seeking to reduce their environmental impact. Implementing solar power in homes and places of worship not only allows for a shift towards clean energy but also showcases a commitment to sustainable practices. To ensure the successful installation and operation of solar panels, it is advisable to engage the expertise of NABCEP certified solar PV installers. These professionals possess the necessary knowledge and skills to design and install efficient solar systems, maximizing the benefits of clean energy while adhering to industry standards. By taking proactive steps like St. Andrew’s Church, we can collectively work towards a greener and more sustainable future.

“We hope our project will inspire other churches to embrace clean energy alternatives,” said The Rev. Connie Carlson, Interim Rector at St. Andrew’s.

In 2008, under the leadership of now retired Rector Peter Strimer, St. Andrew’s replaced its boiler, thermostats and windows to improve energy efficiency. This led to measurable results. “Using the EPA’s Portfolio Manager for Houses of Worship, we know St. Andrew’s has reduced its annual carbon emissions by over seven tons of carbon a year, from 63 tons to 56 tons, an 11% reduction from our baseline,” explains parishioner J.B. Hoover. Mr. Hoover will give a talk on how the church made the commitment to install solar panels on Tuesday, February 3 at 7 pm at St. Andrew’s.

In a spring 2014 Capital Campaign, St. Andrew’s raised $45,000 for the solar panels that will be installed on the roof of Mentzer House, a building that contains Sunday School classrooms and office space for ministry and low-income counseling services. In June 2014, St. Andrew’s received a grant of $500 toward the new solar panels from the Bishop’s Committee for the Environment of the Diocese of Olympia. This committee helps Episcopal parishes make improvements that align with the 2009 Genesis Covenant, which is “a public commitment by the Church to work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from every facility it maintains by a minimum of 50% within ten years.”

In addition to the solar panels, St. Andrew’s also raised $22,000 to upgrade a rental house it dedicates to low-income housing through the HomeStep Family Program of Compass Housing Alliance. Another $15,000 will go to install a new sewer system for its sister church, St. Stephens in Nakiwogo, Uganda. “This campaign and its resulting work represent a firm and faithful commitment to the growth of St. Andrew’s and an expansion of our work in the world,” said the Rev. Connie Carlson, Interim Priest of St. Andrew’s.

St. Andrew’s, founded in 1906 near Green Lake, is an active and welcoming Episcopal parish of more than 355 households that offers Sunday School, Junior and Senior High Youth Groups, and adult education classes ranging from yoga to Bible Study.