EDMONDS — Edmonds Lutheran Church is a bustling place.
Every Wednesday volunteers serve a free community dinner. The warm meal draws seniors looking for companionship and families needing to stretch their food budgets.
The church hosts 12-step groups and pinochle games. Its learning center for children is open five days a week.
“We are definitely not just open on Sundays. I’d say about 90 percent of time there’s something going on here,” pastor Tim Oleson said.
All that activity adds up to plenty of electricity. The church recently installed 36 275-watt solar panels on part of its roof in an effort to generate its own power. The panels soak up the sun and generate electricity for immediate use.
The system was donated in part by A&R Solar in Seattle. Itek Energy in Bellingham also made a contribution. The congregation drummed up the rest of the money.
“A&R wants to give back to the community and we were lucky enough to be part of the Solarize South County campaign,” said Willem Dalbotten, a design consultant with the business.
The church was selected for the grant by the Solarize South County Community Coalition, a volunteer-led initiative to promote solar energy in homes and businesses.
The panels, along with conservation measures, are expected to offset one-fourth to one-third of the church’s power costs.
The church also expects that the panels will pay for themselves in about five years. They installed a Washington-made system so they receive credits from the state for every kilowatt hour produced.
The solar panels fit into the church’s efforts to being an environmentally friendly place, the Rev. Julie Josund said. The church has a “green team” that focuses on recycling, composting and installing energy-efficient lighting.
“We believe the caring for God’s creation goes hand-in-hand with Christian faith,” Josund said. “The solar panels are a good way to make a public statement.”
The south-facing solar panels are visible from the street. Josund and Oleson are hoping the exposure will drum up conversations about the solar energy.
As part of the grant the church also agreed to be an educational site. It’s planning an Earth Day celebration that will include information about solar electricity, gardening, beekeeping and other eco-friendly topics.
“It’s a natural fit for this congregation and this church,” Josund said. “We’re just visitors on this land, and we need to care for it.”
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
