Solar Installation Unveiled, Blessed at Harlem's Church of the Resurrection
By: Steven Schwankert
The Archdiocese of New York’s Department of Energy worked with the parish and a local school to help fulfill a Care of Creation project
Bishop Edmund Whalen, vicar general of the Archdiocese of New York, blessed a new solar panel installation at the Church of the Resurrection in Harlem on Thursday, the first of its kind in northern Manhattan.
“Creator God, we thank you for these solar panels, and for the people who designed and installed them, for the power they provide and for the household they serve. Bless us with vision and energy for change, as we care for the earth and for each other, in the name of the God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” Bishop Whalen prayed, along with Fr. Willem Klaver, pastor of the parish of St. Charles Borromeo, Resurrection, and All Saints.
The 101-panel system is expected to generate 65,000 to 70,000 kilowatt-hours of energy per year, offsetting roughly a third to half of the building’s total usage, according to Jonathan Mizrachi, managing director of Voltaic EPC, the project’s installer.
Although the project is owned and operated by the Church of the Resurrection and was financed by the parish and the Archdiocese of New York’s Department of Energy, the 101 solar panels reside atop the Thurgood Marshall Academy Lower School, which abuts the church. The school is not part of the Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of New York.
“This is a testament to the archdiocese’s will and commitment to clean energy and reducing utility expenses as much as possible. It’s also going to align with trying to protect God’s creation and all of our natural resources, to make sure that what we do have, we’re making the most of it, and we can apply it to other areas to support social programs, educational programs,” said Samuel Man, director of energy management for the Archdiocese of New York. Man acknowledged the work of his predecessor, Martin Susz, who initiated the project and did much of its groundwork.
Fr. Klaver said the solar array is the latest phase of a capital campaign that has already funded roof renovations at the parish’s two churches. He said the next project will be to replace the parish’s four boilers in two locations and asked for community support to assist in funding the project.
Also attending the event were Deacons Rodney Beckford and Kenneth Radcliffe, both long-time members of the parish.