“Acts of Transformation: A Solar Celebration” is planned for Wednesday, October 23, 2019 beginning at 3:30pm at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Hastings, when a newly installed rooftop solar panel system will officially “go live”.
The historic church, established in 1863 during the Civil War, is now plugged into the Consumers Energy power grid with an array of 62 panels that can produce 20 kilowatts of electricity, or about half of the electric needs of the church. Anytime the church is using less power than it produces, the excess goes to the Consumers grid.
It is the first church in the Hastings area and the first Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Western Michigan to address global climate change through the installation of solar power. Solar Winds Power Systems, LLC of Shelbyville, Michigan, did the installation of the project in September.
“We learned of Solar Winds through Michigan Interfaith Power and Light, an organization whose mission is ‘to inspire and equip people of faith to exercise stewardship of and love for all Creation,’ and which helps houses of worship with practical ways to put faith into action by promoting energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other sustainable practices that lead to a cleaner, healthier, and more just world” stated The Reverend Linnea Stifler, Rector of Emmanuel Church.
The public is invited to the October 23rd event. An open house and refreshments will follow.
