Installing solar panels at Holy Cross Retreat Center in Mesilla Park, New Mexico
Interfaith Power and Light (IPL) interviewed Friar Tom Smith, Director of Holy Cross Retreat Center, for an article about the use of rooftop solar and the commitment to address climate change.
“We are strong believers in the importance of caring for our common home, as spoken by Pope Francis in Laudato Sí. As part of that commitment to care for the Earth and who we are and as part of our Franciscan tradition, we have decided to have 200 solar panels… We do this because the sun is always there, especially in southern New Mexico. There’s lot of sun to provide energy for us and to reduce the use of carbon and oil and gas. We believe that it’s important for us to do our part to help people see the need to change the climate. It’s been a reality that our world is being affected. We want to keep it as natural as we can.
“We’re also concerned because it helps us save money. This is an expensive project, of course. But after 15 years we get a significant refund and every year we’re getting tens of thousands of dollars savings on our electricity bill.”
IPL article link:
https://www.interfaithpowerandlight.org/new-survey-shows-u-s-houses-of-worship-are-accelerating-their-adoption-of-rooftop-solar/
