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Proposal from Property Committee to install solar panels at GWUC

To the members of Church Council and the congregation,
GWUC needs to look forward and make some bold steps to set an example for the community and to make a difference.

In late 2012, Assembly and Synod asked congregations to look at their "carbon footprint" to see if we can reduce our impact on the community and the environment.

Property began an audit of our energy usage earlier this year with the view to see what alternatives would be possible, what they would cost and what we could do.

Below is a summary of our final view, and the basis of our recommendation.

We believe there is an exciting opportunity for GWUC to install a large solar power facility to reduce our current costs by 60% to 80%. This proposal has been to Finance committee who also support the proposal on the following basis.

GWUC details:-

• 80% or more of the GWUC energy usage is electricity.
• The annual electricity power bill for GWUC is in excess of $12,000
• The cost of electricity will only increase in the future, even after the removal of the Carbon Tax if it occurs.
• Solar energy has got to a level that it is worth installing such units.
• Capital recovery of our investment would occur between 6 to 8 years.
• A 30 kWh unit (domestic units are usually around 3 KW) would allow us to recover approximately 60% t0 80% of our annual electricity costs. That is $7,200 to $9,600 per year initially, plus inflation.
• The RCT credits have significantly reduced, however they should not be the reason for the project. The project needs to stand on its own value
• The cost of such a facility would be around $50,000
• GWUC has reserves that could cover this project and replace the used capital quickly.
• We have two indicative quotes that both confirm the plan is viable. Property and Finance see this as a valuable, bold and exciting opportunity.

Details of the installation:

The proposal sees between 100 and 120 solar panels to be fitted to the roof area of GWUC, with the inverters being located in the garden bed between the hall and Room 4 entrance in the car park. This facility will generate approximately 80kWh per day, averaged over a year. Property would propose to obtain a 3rd quote and negotiate with the companies to get maximum benefit.

Proposal: That this proposal be taken to a congregation meeting at the earliest opportunity, as it would be a commitment of a substantial amount of our reserves, and it is critical that the congregation sees this as an opportunity to make a difference and to respond to the Assembly and Synod 'call to arms'.

Recommendation:

• Would the congregation support the installation of a 30 kWh "light Commercial" solar power facility at GWUC.
• That the Property Committee be authorized to proceed with the project, under the review of the Finance Committee, to the value of up to $50,000.
• That these funds are to come for the Deferred Maintenance Reserve in the immediate short term, and that the reserve be replenished by the annual savings difference between the current costs and future power costs. Property would maintain an ongoing audit of the power generated and used, and the cost savings would reflect the actual savings after any and all costs. Property will also seek the input and advice of structural and electrical engineers given the size of the unit.
• That after the Deferred Maintenance funding, plus the opportunity cost of those funds (approx $2,500 p.a.) have been recovered, the savings be taken to the normal budget.
• There is also an opportunity for members of the congregation to donate to the cost of the project. Property has been approached by one member indicating that they are unable to economically install a solar power unit in their own home, but would see this as a way to contribute to a better overall community.

Warren Greenwood on behalf of
Property Committee
Finance Committee
September 2013