ARVADA, CO (January 28, 2011) – Arvada Covenant Church is going green by upgrading to more energy efficient lighting and installing a solar energy system.

“Arvada Covenant Church has always made stewardship of God’s resources a priority,” says Ian Thompsen, church administrator. “With our new solar system and upgraded lighting, we’ve taken our commitment to a much higher level.”

The combined efforts will reduce CO2 emissions by more than 140 tons annually – the environmental equivalent of planting 700 trees, says Thompsen. The church hopes to be a role model for the larger community and encourage more awareness of environment issues.

The change also is a matter of good financial stewardship, says Thompsen. The church’s older, inefficient lighting system in the gymnasium was recently upgraded to high efficiency T-8 fluorescent fixtures that will result in a cost savings of approximately $1,000 per year.

The Denver contractor designed and installed a 99.36 kW photovoltaic solar energy system. It incorporates 432 roof-mounted solar PV panels that will produce enough energy to offset a large percentage of the church’s electrical needs.

Savings the first year are expected to exceed $10,000 with a projected savings over 30 years of more than $600,000, Thompsen says. The church is leasing the system, so no church capital expenditures were needed.