Caldwell Photo Story
SOLAR ON!
Caldwell Dominican Sisters Install
A New Solar Energy System
648 solar panels on the roofs of several buildings on our Motherhouse grounds now provide electricity for the Sisters of St. Dominic, Caldwell, New Jersey.
We installed the array of solar panels in March 2006 on our property in Caldwell as a way to cut down on our dependence on fossil fuels and reduce the harmful emissions they produce. This inverter unit converts the solar-generated DC current into AC current. The inverter was "commissioned" (activated) by a team of Caldwell Sisters.
The Sisters hosted a jubilant dedication of the newly installed solar electric system in conjunction with planet-wide celebrations of Earth Day 2006. The ritual began with a spirited and joyful prayer service in Mount Saint Dominic Academy’s gym/auditorium with a procession that included solar-colored ribbon streamers carried on decorated poles, the Earth Flag, and a sun banner.
The ritual was a collaborative project of the Dominican Sisters and Associates, students from Dominican schools, academies and Caldwell College, clergy from various faith denominations, civil officials from the Borough of Caldwell and representatives from state offices and agencies who sponsor and encourage the development and use of alternative energy sources.
At the conclusion of the ritual, Prioress Sister Arlene Antczak, OP led a small group of Congregational Leaders and invited dignitaries to the roof of the Administration Building for the formal blessing of the solar panels.
In her reflection on the deep significance of this blessing rite, Sr. Alice Uhl, OP, a member of the Caldwell Dominican Leadership Team, shared this insight:
“Jesus said:
‘I have come that they may have life
and have it to the full." (John 10:10)
In tune with this Gospel message, the solar energy installation is a concrete expression of the Caldwell Dominican Sisters’ commitment to the life and well-being of future generations.”
In the first year of operation, the solar panels produced 62,000 kilowatt hours of electricity. This clean energy system eliminated the release of approximately 83,000 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere and has reduced the burning of 105,400 pounds of coal!
THE UNIVERSE LIVES!
Click on the green link - view the monitoring system of our solar panels!
http://view2.fatspaniel.net/SunFarmVentures/stdominic/HostedAdminView.htmlClick here to read the entire story of our solar panel array.
