At a remarkable 115 years old, St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Sidney is proving that age is just a number by embracing a forward-thinking initiative: the installation of solar panels.
The church is set to become the first of the 46 Anglican churches within the Diocese of Islands and Inlets to go green by adopting solar energy.
Leaders at St. Andrew's approved the project in October 2024 and subsequently received the green light from the diocese.
Following recommendations from the chosen contractor, the solar panels will be strategically placed on the roof of the church hall, which offers a more suitable, less-steep surface than the main church roof.
"Installing solar panels is a wonderful example of living out our baptismal promise to safeguard creation and respect, sustain and renew the life of the Earth," said Rev. Kelly Duncan, rector of St. Andrew's.
The installation is expected to be cost-effective, thanks in part to rebates from BC Hydro. The church anticipates recovering the initial investment in approximately 10 years and forecasts annual savings of around $3,000 on hydro costs once the system is operational.
The project is slated to begin before Easter, marking a significant step towards sustainability for the historic church.
