Church in Buchanan Will Install Solar Panels

St. Christopher’s Church in Buchanan will get solar panels with an energy conservation loan from Westchester County.

The Board of Legislators unanimously approved $103,507 to finance the installation of three roof mounted solar arrays and for improvements to the underlying roof structure at the church in Buchanan.

Minority Leader John G. Testa (R Cortlandt, Peekskill, Yorktown), said he was pleased because St. Christopher’s is such an important part of the Buchanan community.

“I appreciate the unanimous support this bonding received from my colleagues,“ he said in a prepared statement. “This investment in the physical structure of the church will be a significant cost savings which will allow St. Christopher’s to use better pursue their mission of community support and charity.”

The funds originated from the County’s allocation of Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs) which are reserved for the financing, acquisition, construction and installation of renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements.

The church was eligible for the bond because it is a non-profit entity and because the village of Buchanan is a participant in the Energy Improvement Corporation, a consortium of municipalities that use the EIC to finance renewable energy projects.

St. Christopher’s Church will repay the bond. Average annual energy savings are expected to be $14,582. After the debt service on the bonds this will yield an annual savings of $3,525 per year.

PHOTO: St. Christopher’s Church, Buchanan NY/contributed