Sun Shines on West Marin Meditation Center
Novato and Sonoma based SolarCraft has completed the construction of a 115.6 kW solar electric system at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA . The installation of the solar photovoltaic array will reduce the Center's carbon footprint and power their facilities with sunlight.
Sustainability and the environment are top priorities for Spirit Rock, as stated by co-founder, Jack Kornfield "'Move through the world with care" taught the Buddha. Spirit Rock is a generator of metta, sending loving kindness across the world. Now our beautiful sunlight generates clean energy, a new form of care, and a reminder to us all to lovingly tend the earth".
This ground mounted solar electric system spans consists of (335) Sunpower 345 watt high-efficiency solar modules, providing power to the administrative offices, guest facilities and the meditation hall with renewable energy, reducing Spirit Rock utility costs by over 90%.
Through the use of special non-profit friendly financing through SolarCraft, which allows clients to benefit from commercial incentives, they pay less for solar power than they would to PG&E. In financial terms, the system generates positive cash flow immediately. Furthermore, Spirit Rock has the option to pay off the system sooner (after year 5) to own it outright. Doing so will reduce financing costs and enable them to save even more money.
"Here comes the sun," said Spirit Rock Teacher and cofounder James Baraz when he received news of the powering up of the solar array. "We are an organization that seeks to 'walk our talk' and reduce our carbon impact so we will 'do no harm' for the planet, all living beings and future generations."
The system's solar electric panels are expected to generate approximately 190,700 kilowatt hours of clean energy annually. The new solar energy system allows Spirit Rock to generate enough electricity each day to power over 27 average homes. The amount of carbon offset by the PV array is equivalent to removing
50 tons of harmful greenhouse gases annually. Over the next 30 years, the air pollution saved will be equivalent to eliminating almost 3 million miles of driving or planting 10 acres of trees.
About Spirit Rock
Nestled in the hills of West Marin County, Spirit Rock Meditation Center is dedicated to the teachings of the Buddha as presented in the vipassana tradition. The practice of mindful awareness, called Insight Meditation, is at the heart of all the activities at Spirit Rock. It was founded in 1987 as Insight Meditation West and is visited by an estimated 40,000 people a year. Spirit Rock hosts a year-round schedule of residential retreats, daylong retreats/workshops, benefit workshops, and weekly classes.
