Unitarian Universalist Church of Tallahassee Moves Forward with Solar Power Project
by Logan Hunter-ThompsonOn December 3, 2006, members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tallahassee (UUCT) approved action to apply for a bridge loan from the City of Tallahassee to help fund its Solar Power Project. The vote brings the church one step closer to the use of alternative energy.
The project, also supported by the generous voluntary contributions of forty-five UUCT members, will provide an alternative source of electricity for the church through the installation of a system of solar (photovoltaic) panels on the south roof of the church's education building. The plan is based on a 10-kilowatt system. Electricity not used by the church will be fed to the city power grid for which UUCT will receive retail price benefits.
Installation of the panels is expected to be complete in January 2007. Once complete, the project promises to cut the church's electricity costs by approximately 30 percent, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the city's electric generating plants, which currently produces 97 percent of its electricity from fossil fuels.
One other church in Tallahassee is keeping its eyes on the UUCT project, with the intent of using the UUCT model to create a similar alternative energy program. Over time, UUCT hopes that other churches—and businesses—will be inspired by its use of alternative energy and create similar programs of their own. Such actions could really generate visibility for Tallahassee as a concerned and proactive community.
Last updated on Monday, February 19, 2007.
