Key Points:
- The Mobile Solar Power Station, a solar-powered, self-sustaining trailer, was launched in October 2023 as a brand new ministry of the North Georgia Conference.
- The photo voltaic trailer can present renewable vitality whereas response groups assist individuals after disasters.
- The panels line up on prime of the trailer, and when mission specialists arrive at a web site, they’ll park and place a number of panels in a patch of daylight, enabling them to transform vitality. from the solar to a clear, plentiful, renewable-energy supply. .
- While some individuals stopped to talk with UMCOR representatives in regards to the new trailer, others sipped espresso – all cooked because of photo voltaic vitality.
General Conference attendees drank solar-powered espresso this week whereas studying a couple of new eco-friendly different energy supply.
The Mobile Solar Power Station, a solar-powered, self-sustaining trailer, was launched in October 2023 as a brand new ministry of the North Georgia Conference. Its coalition companions embrace the United Methodist Committee on Relief, the Ray C. Anderson Foundation, the Footprint Project and Cherry Street Energy.
“If you get hit by a storm and the ability goes out, we will go in and get the ability,” defined the Rev. Scott Parrish, North Georgia Conference catastrophe response coordinator and mission specialist. “We can deploy with little or no discover.”
Subscribe to our
e-newsletter
Like you learn and need to see extra? Sign up for our free day by day and weekly analyzes of vital information and occasions within the lifetime of The United Methodist Church.
Let me know!
The photo voltaic trailer can present renewable vitality whereas response groups assist individuals within the midst of catastrophe. The panels line up on prime of the trailer, and when mission specialists arrive at a web site, they’ll park and place dozens of panels in a patch of daylight, enabling them to transform vitality from the solar right into a clear, plentiful, renewable-energy supply. .
“It could make a 3,000-square-foot home, run fridges and medical gadgets, cool dialysis tools and assist medical facilities, all whereas lowering our carbon footprint,” stated Tom Staigle, catastrophe response volunteer on the North Georgia Conference, identified the heavy cords and batteries they may use to offer energy.
“We carry energy when there isn’t any energy.”
Parrish stated the thought arose from a dialog with Rev. Jenny Phillips, director of environmental sustainability with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
“We have been on the annual convention, and he informed us the thought and requested, ‘Are you ?'”
They have been completely , Parrish stated. From there, they labored with different companions to fund the mandatory tools.
“I’ve been an advocate of shifting to renewable vitality for a very long time, and I noticed a possibility to carry photo voltaic into what we do,” Phillips defined.
When catastrophe strikes, energy goes out, generally for lengthy durations of time.
“But,” stated Phillips, “we’d like energy for important life wants akin to drugs, batteries, meals, even electrical vehicles, which can’t perform with out electrical energy. Usually, individuals flip to diesel turbines, however that is an earth-friendly option to remedy the issue. “
Staigle stated the actual price is constructing the trailer. To run it, they solely want volunteers and gas to achieve their vacation spot.
It’s a fantastic concept, Staigle stated. If there’s a catastrophe just like the Maui volcano eruption or Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and there’s no energy for a very long time, the trailer can keep for some time and assist individuals in want whereas being environmentally pleasant.
“We can roll proper in and provide energy,” added Parrish, particularly in rural communities, that are normally the final to obtain support after a catastrophe.
Rev. Pat Watkins, a frontrunner of the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement, stopped by to tour the photo voltaic trailer. Watkins stated he appreciates how the photo voltaic trailer ministry is a sensible witness to what we’re speaking about theologically in creation care.
“It’s caring for God’s individuals and God’s creatures on the similar time,” Watkins stated.
Others sipped espresso — all brewed because of photo voltaic vitality — whereas chatting with UMCOR representatives in regards to the effort.
The photo voltaic trailer continues to be too new for use for catastrophe reduction. But they know they will want it quickly, particularly since forecasters count on extra hurricane exercise all through the 2024 hurricane season. Staigle stated they look ahead to sharing the trailer all through the southeastern United States. United States and past.
Phillips stated he hopes the photo voltaic trailer will assist individuals in want, in addition to encourage individuals at different conferences to contemplate replicating one which works of their space.
For extra on photo voltaic trailers, go to the North Georgia Conference web site or contact UMCOR.
Jessica Brodie is the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate.
Media information contact: Julie Dwyer at (615) 742-5470 or [email protected]. To learn extra United Methodist information, subscribe to free day by day or weekly Digests.
General Conference photographs
UM News has photographers on the plenary ground of General Conference 2024 and at particular occasions and conferences all through the session. See photographs from every day on Flickr.
Look on the photographs
Like you learn? Support the ministry of UM News! Your help ensures that the most recent denominational information, dynamic tales and informative articles proceed to attach our international neighborhood. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.
