Renewable Energy

New Raised-Seam Metal Roof

Due to a generous bequest, we were able to install a metal roof before installing the first solar panels. The raised seams allowed panels to be clipped without penetrating the roof. The light color helps reflect heat away so panels can work more efficiently. The roof has a 50-year life.

Impact of Our Renewable Energy Since May 2013

In May 2013 two solar arrays, with 96 photovoltaic panels (PVs), were installed on our building’s south-facing roofs. In 2017 we added a third array, bringing the total to 150 PVs with a total of 56.5 kilowatts of equipment, and our panels began creating almost as much electricity as we used from the grid. From 2018 through 2022, PV production covered or offset an average of 89% of what was purchased from the grid. Activities in our building throughout the week increased from July 2024 to March 2026, so the average of PV production to kilowatt hours (kWh) purchased from the grid fell to about 54%.

Overall, from mid-May 2013 through mid-March 2026 our PVs produced 492,350.6 kWh of electricity. Our total electricity usage during that time was 763,289.8 kWh. This included 251,660.3 kWh of surplus solar energy that was sent to the grid and 240,850 kWh of solar energy that we used directly. Our electric bills since May 2013 totaled $40,508.67 and our estimated savings from solar production were over $55,000.00.