Poteat Chapel Solar Installation Is Up and Running, October 2023

The solar panels on Poteat Chapel were connected to the grid and began generating energy on October 12th. We expect the installation of the monitoring system to be completed this month. This will allow us to view energy production.  

In March, 2023, we announced that Pullen had 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 system will supply energy to Finlator Hall and Poteat Chapel. The 50 panel system will produce 30,789 kWh of electricity per year saving Pullen $2,655 the first year. Annual savings will increase as increased Duke Energy electricity rates (~5% annually) go into effect. 

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:  Joining forces with Solarize the Triangle, (a community based group purchasing program for solar energy), ($2,860 rebate), qualifying for both a Duke Energy solar rebate ($18,750) and a federal Inflation Reduction Act clean energy payment for Non Profits (estimated ~$17,160), and November 2022, ($2,800) in donations. An anonymous Pullen donor  has promised to cover the remaining costs for purchasing this system!!!  Many thanks to our donors and the people who worked so hard to make this possible!!

The annual environmental benefits of this system are equal to:

• Avoiding the emissions released by burning  24,441 lbs of coal 

• Avoiding the emissions released from consuming 2,455 gallons of gasoline

• The atmospheric Carbon sequestered by 26 acres of U.S. forests per year. 
  

Cox Building Solar Savings thru September, 2023

Since inception (17.5 months), our solar panels on the Coxe Building have reduced Pullen’s electricity costs by $9,131!  September savings were $507.  This has prevented the release of  213,969 lbs of CO2 emissions. Its environmental benefit is comparable to planting 1,617 trees. 

The 17 month environmental benefits of this system are equal to:

• Avoiding the emissions released by burning  108,755 lbs of coal  

• Avoiding the emissions released from consuming 10,925 gallons of gasoline

• The atmospheric carbon sequestered by 116 acres of U.S. forests in one year