by: Isa Baza

 

Another island parish is receiving the benefits of solar energy. Father Jose Alberto Rodriguez from Agat calls it "a gift from God", referring to the nearly-200 kilowatts of solar energy the church installed several months ago. He's been the pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in the southern village for the past two years, adding, "I've seen the difficulties with finances that we have. I wanted to look for something to help." After contacting a local company - Pacific Solar and Photovoltaics - he realized that installing solar energy could be the solution he was looking for to save the church thousands of dollars every year. By entering into a power purchase agreement with Pacific Solar, the installment and maintenance of the church's solar panels are covered for the next two decades, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church now pays lower rates than those offered by the Guam Power Authority, all while saving $500 every month, or roughly $6,000 annually in power expenses. "Thanks to that we are having some benefits and I give thanks to them for helping us. And hopefully it will have more benefits to help the parishioners and the church in general," he added. When asked if installing solar is something he'd would recommend, he said yes wholeheartedly, "Because I have it, and I see that it's good," Fr. Jose said. But lastly he said he considers solar energy to be a gift from above, adding, "It's by the sun, so it's taking opportunities by what God gives us."