Case Study 

The Monestary of Mount Carmel Solar Projects

Project Type: Solar Rooftop and Photovoltaic Ground-mount (PV) Farm

Applicant: Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre  

Grants Awarded:  $66,375

Project Size:  2 systems, 1070 kW in total

Status:  Scheduled to be commissioned August, 2011

The roar of Niagara Falls, one of nature’s biggest waterpower providers in Ontario, provides a fitting backdrop for the unfolding story of renewable power development at Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre.  Here, only steps away from the rushing Niagara River and in a facility that provides services for a wide community of practitioners, laypeople and visitors, the dream of solar power is underway.

“For a long time we’ve had a vision of how to be sustainable on the Centre’s land, and solar power was a dream that I’ve longed to realize,” enthuses Father Stanley Makacinas.   When he learned about the opportunity to apply for a Community Energy Partnerships Program (CEPP) grant, Father Stan realized that his solar dream might indeed come true.

The Centre utilized CEPP grants to hire a local professional solar power project manager.  Funded studies have determined the capacity for Mount Carmel to put up a 1 megawatt (MW) of solar system on an ideal flat, unobstructed property across the street from the Centre’s 135-year-old site, and up to 70 kW on the rooftop of one of the centre’s more recently built structures.  Structural and engineering studies are next, and outreach to the local community has begun.

Members of the Spiritual Centre’s community will be able to support the development of the solar projects through donations, and Centre staff is keen to create a renewable and solar energy education campaign that will reach the diverse array of visitors who visit the property every year. 

The Centre hopes to inspire other faith-based communities to develop their own renewable energy projects.  As Father Stan points out, “Solar Power fits in with our theology … to be stewards of creation and to protect it”.

This project has received funding support from the Ontario Power Authority through the Community Energy Partnerships Program. Such support does not indicate endorsement by the Ontario Power Authority or the Province of Ontario of the contents of this material. The views expressed in the material are the views of the Recipient and do not necessarily reflect those of the Ontario Power Authority or the Province of Ontario.

News Articles

Niagara Falls Review:  Mount Carmel looks to the Sun for Energy

 

 Videos

View a video interview with Father Stan on Youtube.