Church relies on solar power: 30 parishes by 2030 environmentally friendly!

Church relies on solar power: 30 parishes by 2030 environmentally friendly!

In a powerful step towards sustainability and cost reduction, the Catholic Church of Styria relies on solar power and innovative "energy communities". According to a report of the Sunday blatts Plant the diocese of Graz-Seckau by 2030. To change photovoltaic systems. The aim is to switch 30 parishes to solar energy annually, which reduces the operating costs considerably and at the same time the environment is spared. Martin Halmer, the economist of the diocese, emphasizes the need for this change, especially in view of the falling membership.

new energy initiative for education

Part of this project includes the foundation of the "Solidarian Energy Community - Citizens' Energy Community Augustinum", which enables private individuals to sell their solar power directly to the Augustinum campus. According to the campus manager Christoph Mauthner, the proceeds should flow into a social fund that enables disadvantaged children to visit educational institutions of the church. This not only sets a sign of the energy transition, but also promotes educational justice, such as Augustinum reports.

The initiative ensures that churches and adjacent buildings, which are ideal for attaching PV systems, play a more central role in the energy transition. The diocese plans to finance the first plants through the financial means from the sale of the Graz Steiegenkirche and also to use future church contributions for sustainable energy generation. Wolfgang Pucher, the head of the diocesan department for energy, emphasizes that listed buildings are no longer fundamentally excluded from the installation of such systems, which makes this environmentally friendly approach easier.