Churches for the Future - 50 Solar Roofs (Czech Republic)

The Centre for Application of Renewable Energy of the Orthodox Academy in Vilemov launched a new ecumenical and environmental project in 2004 under the title CHURCHES FOR THE FUTURE - 50 SOLAR ROOFS. The project aims to demonstrate the possibilities of solar energy utilisation in parishes and diaconal and educational institutions of various Churches in the Czech Republic. The project enjoys the particular interest of the Czech Brethren Church, Hussitte Church, Silesian Lutheran Church and the Orthodox Church in the Czech Republic. An important partner is the International Baptist Seminary in Prague. Czech parishes and Church institutions have already submitted more than 30 applications and the Environmental team of the Orthodox Academy has helped them with the preparation and specifications of their individual projects, energy audits and the completion of their applications according to the standards of the Czech Environmental Fund. The first solar-thermal systems on the Church buildings will hopefully be mounted in Spring 2005.

Many of the solar systems planned for diaconal and educational Church institutions are bigger than the originally planed 200 litre demonstration systems for small parish houses with two solar collectors - so the environmental gains of the project will be not only achieved but surpassed. New applications from the Churches are expected by the Orthodox Academy Vilemov in 2005, since  energy prices are constantly rising and the environmental awareness of Church members is growing. The project has the support of the Czech State Environmental Fund, German Environmental Foundation and of the Czech Minister of Environment Mr Libor Ambrozek (Christian Democratic Party), who is actively supporting renewable energy use and energy savings with his ministry.

The project CHURCHES FOR THE FUTURE - 50 SOLAR ROOFS also includes the provision of seminars and lectures about solar energy for Churches and the preparation of a book containing information about the possibilities of environmental work in the Church and information about the project.

Roman Juriga
Director of the Orthodox Academy Vilemov, former member of the ECEN Enabling team

See also an article on the Orthodox Academy's Wind Turbine

This page was created on 22 November 2004