Mundelein Seminary to power on new solar array starting on Christmas
Original article by James T. Norman and published by the Chicago Tribune
University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary is introducing a solar panel array that is in the shape of a cross at their campus, officials announced. The seminary had an event planned for the launch of the array, but it was canceled.
The array will be the first on a Catholic campus within the United States, officials with the seminary said. It will also be the first solar array installed within the Archdiocese of Chicago.
David Brochu, the C.E.O. of PureGen Power, LLC, worked as the developer for it. Having been a benefactor to the seminary for two decades, he and Father John Kartje, the university and seminary’s rector/president, had discussed the possibility of installing a solar array.
The goal was to help lower energy costs for the seminary, while also forwarding the seminary’s mission of helping the environment. Brochu and his company helped organize the project, getting permits, licensing and setting up the construction.
“From the very beginning, this has been done as a friendly project,” Brochu said. “The work we did from the very beginning, up until construction, the work we did was all pro bono.”
Brochu added the investors brought onto the project were also friends of the seminary, who assisted in paying for the project. Overall, the costs of the project were about $800,000, which was made up of construction costs. Brochu said the array should last for at least 35 years.
Both Brochu and Kartje said the array over the course of its life is expected to save the seminary north of $1 million, as it will eventually provide more than 20% of the seminary’s energy needs.
The solar facility itself is owned and operated by USML Laudato Si Solar, LLC, who are leasing land from the university, according to a release from the seminary. They will sell the solar energy back to the seminary at a discounted rate, the release states.
The system was turned on Friday, with testing being done this week. The official first operation day for the array is set to be Christmas Day, Brochu said.
Kartje said the project coming to fruition rested on Brochu’s shoulders, calling the assistance from him and the other benefactors “humbling.” He also referenced comments from Pope Francis, and Cardinal Blase Joseph Cupich of the Archdiocese of Chicago, who he said have been champions for protection of the environment.
“Part of the mission of the Catholic church has always been trying to heighten that mission of (the environment),” Kartje said.
Kartje said the entire process began about a year ago, saying from his perspective, it came together quickly.
He said moving forward, he hopes the array will help propel other Catholic institutions to follow in the steps of subscribing to renewable energy.
“We’re all called upon to be better stewards of these resources,” he said. “My hope is that people will come knocking on our doors and asking us information . . . to hopefully be replicated elsewhere.”
Mayor Steve Lentz agreed, saying in the release that clean energy is our future.
“ (The seminary’s) example will serve as a catalyst for others to follow,” he said in the release.