At the inaugural general assembly of the PROK Solar Power Co-op, held on February 21 at the PROK Mission Education Center on Gyeonggidaero in Seodaemungu, Seoul, the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) decided that during the next five years it will build solar power stations capable of producing a total 500kW per hour.
In its inaugural statement of purpose the Co-op declared, “When God created this world, God wanted us humans to get along with all Creation. We humans, on the contrary, recklessly abused Nature due to our greed, and the results are grave. Now we aim to actively produce sustainable solar power, to replace nuclear power.”
The Co-op plans to build new solar power stations every year capable of generating 100 kW per hour so that in five years more than 500 kW per hour can be generated. 100 kW is sufficient for ten households to share per day. The Co-op, established with seed money of 8,800,000 won from 29 founding members, is planning to increase its membership to 5,000 and its investment to 1.5 billion won in the coming five years. And the profits from the electricity produced at the solar power stations will go toward equipping at least one rural-area church each year with a solar power generating system (3 kW per hour). The Co-op will also offer solar power consulting to encourage churches to install their own solar power generating systems.
The first solar power station of the Co-op is being built on the rooftop (300㎡, or 90 pyeong) of Hanshin University’s Theological Graduate School building on Insubongno in Gangbukgu, Seoul, and is scheduled to be finished by April this year. The facility will produce approximately 50 kW per hour. If it operates three hours a day, it will produce 56,575 kWh per year, for a profit of 22,000,000 won per year. The second station will be built on the rooftop of the PROK General Assembly building on 4.19-ro in Gangbukgu, Seoul, this coming October.
Professor Emeritus Jang Hwoe-ik said, “Because life can’t exist together with radioactive materials, life and nuclear energy can’t co-exist. Solar power is less efficient to generate, but it enables us to use energy in moderation. In this sense, solar power is more biblical.” Executive Committee Chair Rev. Yun In-jung said, “Sunlight is our most precious gift from God. Solar power generation is a valuable solution that enables us to live with Nature. It will also help churches in rural areas and not-yet-independent churches to save on their electric bills.”
Reporter Choi Seung Wook (applesu@kmib.co.kr), Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Click here for the original article in Korean
Related Article
Related Article
