Let the Sun Shine on Poteat Chapel
Exciting news! Pullen has reached an agreement with Solarize the Triangle and YES Solar Solutions to install a 25 kW AC capacity / 22 kW DC solar panel system on our Poteat Chapel roof and on the walkway awning that runs between the chapel and the main building. This 50 panel system will produce 30,789 kWh per year. There will be no net cost to Pullen for this project. It is independent of the operating budget. There will be $2,217 first year savings in electricity costs for Finlator Hall and Poteat Chapel. The savings will increase as increased Duke Energy electricity rates go into effect. This system will produce energy for more than 25 years. Its cumulative gross savings over this time period are projected to be $75,572.
Earth Ministry, Finance and Building and Grounds, worked together to take advantage of a unique set of cost saving circumstances that made this project possible. Last October, Pullen learned that a portion of the Duke Energy 2022 solar rebate money for non profits was left unused. We also learned that Solarize the Triangle, a community based group purchasing program for solar energy could offer lower equipment costs by increasing the volume of purchases. The Federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed in 2022, promises to cover 30% of nonprofits' costs for investments in clean energy. Pullen was able to apply for and reserve a Duke Energy $18,750 solar rebate before the 2022 nonprofit rebate money expired in December. The estimated IRA Federal Direct Payment to Nonprofits for investments in clean energy is $17,160. In November, $2,800 in donations were also promised for this project. And, an anonymous Pullen donor has promised to cover the remaining costs for purchasing this system!!! Many thanks to all of our donors!
The environmental benefits of this system are equal to:
Eliminating 24,141 lbs of coal burned per year
4.7 gasoline powered passenger vehicles driven per year
54,159 miles driven by an average gasoline powered passenger vehicle per year
The carbon sequestered by 25.8 acres of U.S. Forests per year.
Gail Powell
Pullen Earth Ministry
