NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, June 1, 2020

St. Luke’s Goes Solar

Upper Tantallon, N.S. – A major two-phased renovation project is underway at St. Luke’s United Church to make the building more energy efficient and help Nova Scotia build its renewable energy electricity grid.

In Phase One, 150 high efficiency solar panels, capable of producing 385 watts each, will be installed across St. Luke’s large roof. When operational, these are expected to generate about 58,000 kWhr of renewable energy annually for the Nova Scotia Power grid. Partnered with HRM’s Solar City Program and Nova Scotia’s Solar Electricity for Community Buildings Pilot Program, this will be one of the largest solar panel installations in the area.

“This is a big project for the church and an important one. We want to help address climate change by making our building more energy efficient.  We’re doing that in two phases with the new solar panel installation and then after the pandemic crisis, we’ll tackle the planned building improvements,” explains Dr. Ian Reid, a lead volunteer with the renovation project.

Phase One is underway and slated for completion in late July.  The building renovations planned for Phase Two include new insulation, heat pumps, windows and flooring that will make the public spaces more efficient and environmentally friendly.

St. Luke’s United Church serves a growing community of faith that includes more than 200 families in the area and beyond.  It’s a community hub offering reasonably priced rental space for non-profit and community groups. During the pandemic, the church has continued operations online with the office and building itself closed, while staff continues to work from home.                      

-30-

Media Inquiries for more information:

Joanne Ellis  - Tel: 902 826 9512  - office@stlukesunited.ca