Church's solar leap of faith
Published 3 Mar 2011 17:40
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Rev Paul Cowan, Lord Carey and Cllr Kuldip Singh at St George's Church new solar panel switch-on
GREEN-MINDED parishioners saw their dedicated fundraising come to light when solar panels on their church roof were switched on.
The panel installation is part of phase one of George Goes Green, a project aiming to make St George the Martyr, at Wash Common, one of the first carbon neutral churches in Britain.
Vicar, the Rev Paul Cowan, congregation member and former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey of Clifton, and former Mayor of Newbury, Kuldip Singh, were present at the church last Saturday to switch on the 129 photovoltaic (PV) panels, which were installed by specialist company Solaris Developments.
The panels will provide approximately 25 kilowatts of peak output, allowing the church to serve its own power needs and also generate income by selling the surplus to the national grid.
Reverend Cowan explained that the eco-project, the estimated £900,000 final cost of which will be funded by grants, donations and community fundraising projects, had seemed to be doomed in January due to a cash shortfall.
He said: "This project has represented a rollercoaster ride over recent months. On Sunday, January 30, I gave an update to our congregation and told them we were back to the drawing board.
"The response was phenomenal and in the following 12 hours more than £40,000 was donated. We were then able to secure a discount with the contractors and suddenly we were back on track. These events seem truly miraculous as I am now able to admire the PV panels on the roof!"
Phase one of George Goes Green, which also includes reinforcing the building's roof structure and increasing insulation in ceilings, is expected to be completed by May this year.
Future stages of the project include the purchase of a ground source heat pump and creating a thermal lobby at the building's main entrance.
To make a donation or for details, visit
www.georgegoesgreen.org or search 'St George the Martyr' on www.thebiggive.org.uk
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 02 Mar 11
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