Benedictines convert sun into energy at Tucson monastery

New solar panels grace the monastery’s parking lot in Tucson.

Taking advantage of the fact that Tucson is “one of the sunniest places in the United States,” the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration have expanded their foray into solar energy at the Benedictine Monastery on North Country Club Road.
An array of new solar panels has been added to the roof-top panels installed five years ago to heat water for the monastery. The addition will account for 80 percent of the monastery’s future electricity needs.
“The more electricity and heat that we convert from the sun’s rays decreases our reliance and dependence on fossil fuels and on imported sources of energy,” said Sister Joan Ridley, OSB, sub-prioress for the community and the person overseeing the job. “It helps us do a good thing for ourselves and for the planet.”
The Sisters took advantage of a lease-to-own option, which allows them to finance the new system at a cost of 80 percent of their current bill.  After 10 to 12 years, they will own the system outright.
“It boggles the mind how much we consume our earth’s resources,” said Sister Ramona Valera, OSB, the prioress. “As Benedictines, as monastics, we strive to protect the earth’s resources and to leave this world better than we found it.”
The state and federal tax credits for homeowners and business customers cannot be used directly by the not-for-profit organization but the Sisters can transfer their tax credits to a credit company that finances the project, which reduces the cost of the panels.