Creating awareness on renewable energy
“There is an urgent need to develop policies so that, in the next few years, the emission of carbon dioxide and other highly polluting gases can be drastically reduced, for example, substituting for fossil fuels and developing sources of renewable energy. Worldwide there is minimal access to clean
Jun 09, 2023
By Marilyn Menezes Simon
Continuing its focus on decarbonisation and creating an awareness of Renewable Energy, the Creation Justice Ministry of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur organised a session on the use of solar energy at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima on May 27.
Jonathan Deon Gomez, a parishioner from the Church of the Holy Family, Kajang and from PathGreen, was the speaker for the session.
Fr Andrew Manickam OFM Cap, the Ecclesiastical Assistant for the Archdiocesan Creation Justice Ministry, welcomed the 27 environmental enthusiasts from different faiths and started the day with a prayer.
Jonathan highlighted the two forms of energy – the renewable energy obtained from the sun, wind, water and the non-renewable energy obtained from fossil fuels: coal, petroleum, natural gas etc. In doing our bit for the environment, he stated how households and companies were transitioning to solar energy that is in abundance in Malaysia.
During the session, a two square metre solar panel, weighing 25kgs and that generates 505watts, was showcased. These panels come with a 25-year extendable warranty. The presenter explained how the Net Energy Metering (NEM) system works and how the excess energy can be carried forward. He also shared information about the required connections, meters, inverters, and other components.
Jonathan said solar panels can only be installed on sturdy roof tops without asbestos roofing sheets, ensuring they have access to direct sunlight. If a house, condominium, or church is surrounded by tall buildings, the efficiency and output of the solar panels may be compromised.
If churches have many small, slanting, arched or rhombic roofs, the panels may not fit well. However, aerial drone surveys are conducted to assess the suitability of locations for solar panel installation.
The inexhaustible supply of solar energy and its non-polluting character make it one of the highly attractive sources of renewable energy.
In conjunction with World Environment Day, and its theme Beat Plastic Pollution, the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur’s Creation Justice Ministry encourages parishioners to bring their recyclable plastic for collection throughout the month of June.
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