Solar Farm
In response to the Genesis Covenant, St. Thomas Church broke ground on a solar farm, nestled in the northeast corner of the campus, in the summer of 2020. The solar array is projected to provide 85% of the electrical needs for the entire campus.
Solar Panel Dedication
To help support our solar farm, consider dedicating a panel! By contributing to this effort at St. Thomas’, our stewardship can collectively be part of something lasting and important. Your donation would benefit the environment as well as enable vastly reduced electric bills for years to come.
Please download, print, and return the form below. For any questions, please contact solar@stthomaswhitemarsh.org
Electricity (KWh) generation by month
Monitoring System Performance
The dashboard displays electricity production over different time periods (from the last three days to the system’s lifetime) and tracks the environmental benefits of the system.
Using data supplied by the two inverters, St. Thomas’ is able to monitor the production of the photovoltaic (PV) system by a web-based dashboard developed by AlsoEnergy. The Dashboard can be accessed from the QR code on the sign mounted on the solar panel fence at the site or by clicking on the “Live Feed” button above.
The amount of electricity produced by the PV system correlates with the amount of sunshine hitting the modules, which varies by month and with weather. The expected output of the system is shown on the Table 1.
Click to enlarge image.
Click to enlarge image.
Learn Net and Virtual Metering
The generation from the solar photovoltaic (PV) system first offsets any usage at these buildings. If the solar generation exceeds the electricity usage, the excess generation goes out to PECO’s local distribution grid, in effect using the distribution system as a “battery.” During periods when the usage at the three buildings exceeds the solar generation (for example, during evenings or overcast days), any solar kWh previously sent to the distribution grid comes back to the buildings at no charge to St. Thomas’ (hence the name “net metering”).
The equipment located between Camp Hill Road and the St. Thomas’ Preschool is where the solar PV system interconnects with PECO’s distribution grid and the PECO account serving the Parish House, the Emily Norris Carey Learning Center and the St. Thomas’ Preschool. One electric meter measures the electricity generated by the PV system and the other meter measures the electricity usage at these three buildings.
If at the end of the billing month the solar system has generated more electricity than the three buildings have used, the excess is assigned to St. Thomas’ other electric accounts for the remaining buildings on campus through a billing mechanism known as “Virtual Meter Aggregation.” This allow St. Thomas to receive full retail value for all of its solar energy generation. Excess generation is carried forward for up to 12 months and if there is an excess at the end of the year, St. Thomas’ will receive financial compensation from PECO for the excess.
Our Contributors
We offer special thanks to the Craig family for providing the lead gifts for our solar project in celebration and memory of Jean L. and Cassin W. Craig.
We also give thanks to all those who have supported our solar project with gifts and panel dedications.