Christ Church Portola Valley has installed 92 solar panels and will be saving the church approximately $250,000 in Pacific Gas & Electric energy costs.
Christ Church, the Episcopal parish for the towns of Portola Valley and Woodside-celebrated the culmination of work to fund and install an array of 92 solar panels on the roof of its administrative building. The day of celebration included the blessing of the panels by Christ Church’s Rector, the Rev. Mitch Lindeman, a ribbon-cutting and “switching-on” ceremony, and a festive barbeque following the 9:30 a.m. intergenerational worship service. In addition to the church’s clergy, staff, and parishioners, the Rev. Sally Bingham, Canon for the Environment for the Episcopal Diocese of California, will be present and speak.
In addition to our solar panel installation Christ Church re-landscaped an area at the front of the church. Special features are:
- Low flow drip irrigation
- Native plants used
- Drought and deer resistant plants
- No ornamental plants requiring gas powered hedging
- No chemical fertilizers
- Used 100% biodynamic compost
- Mulch recycled from redwood
- Organic microbiotics to enhance and condition the soil as opposed to using artificial stimulators and fertilizers which are similar to steroids for plants
Christ Church also had a PG&E energy audit and have replaced approximately 60% of all lighting to CFLs in our church offices, library and preschool.