• a 10kW system that generates about $8000 worth of electricity /year
• carbon dioxide emissions reduced by 7 tonnes /yr if fossil fuels had generated that power
• 1.7 acres of forest would be needed to soak up that much CO₂
• OPA’s MicroFIT program offers a 20 year contract; the panels generally last for at least 25 years (power could still be sold after the contract expires, but at a lower rate)
• the church’s use of power is paid for separately (and we pay for the power we use at a much lower rate)
• materials and installation cost about $65000
• over 20 years, Crossroads would sell about $170,000 worth of power (from which the original cost must be deducted), so this is practicing both ecological and financial stewardship over the long term. Much of the financing will come from redirecting existing church investments.

This project was approved at the March 2012 congregational meeting and at a subsequent meeting of Presbytery.

Update - Oct 2012 - Panels now operational
With thanks to Amherst Roofing (roofing replacement) and RW Electric (solar installation), this project has now been completed, and we have been generating electricity and exporting it to "the grid" (Kingston Hydro) since early September.

 
(L) workers replacing sanctuary roofing     (R) solar panels in place (W sanctuary roof)

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Need a ride to church? Can you offer a ride?

If you need a ride or can offer a ride to Sunday worship, click on the appropriate button at the top of the right panel of this page for an information form. When you submit your request, the information will be sent directly to the church secretary.

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Crossroads sanctuary featured in 2013 United Church calendar

This photograph, taken by our own Dianne Hudson, is featured for the month of September in the 2013 United Church calendar. If you`d like your own copy of the calendar, they are available from the church office for a small charge.