Solar power system means significant savings for parish

Photo by Alan M. Dumoff

Standing with his back to the solar farm that powers the church and school, Father Michael Matveenko, pastor of Assumption Parish, reads a blessing during a ceremony July 22.

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP — Church of the Assumption is expected to save hundreds of dollars a year in electricity costs with the use of recently-installed solar panels for both the church and school.

“This is a vision we have had for several years,” said Father Michael Matveenko, pastor of Assumption Church. “The solar panels are the first of their kind for the area and are predicted to deliver significant savings in our operating costs.”

The system became functional in May for the school “and we’ve already seen significant savings in our electrical costs,” said the pastor. The panels are now providing power for the church.

Solar Funding, LLC, installed the 655, 2-kilowatt ground mounted solar power system at the regional school and church and will generate up to 90 percent of Assumption’s annual electricity demand.

Father Matveenko indicated that Calvi Electric Co. — from whom the parish will buy power — and Solar Funding helped the parish develop the use of some four unusable acres of land “located in the storm water basin next to our facility,” the pastor noted. “It was perfect for this project.”

Nearly 3,000 solar panels were installed on the land “and will deliver benefits over the next 25 years,” Father Matveenko said. “Atlantic City Electric will still be involved but we will now be more environmentally friendly.”

Solar Funding owns the system, but Assumption Church purchases the solar renewable energy credits and environmental benefits associated with it. In return for the use of the four acres of land, the church receives a low long term fixed rate for the purchase of electricity generated by the solar energy system.