Congregation Beth El–Keser Israel

85 Harrison Street, New Haven, CT 06515-1724 | P: 203.389.2108 | office@beki.org

Our banner is based on BEKI’s stained glass, designed in 2008 by Cynthia Beth Rubin. For information on this and other of Cynthia’s work, go to: <a href="http://www.cbrubin.net" target="_blank">www.cbrubin.net</a>. Artisan Fabrication by JC Glass of Branford, CT

Ecology

Environmental Responsibility

Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel seeks to be a model urban institution and to promote good citizenship among its members. The community seeks to comply with the Biblical law of bal tashḥit, which prohibits destruction of the natural environment and wasting of resources. The congregation aims to put the conserve into Conservative Judaism.

Building Renovations

Increasing energy efficiency is a major goal of the ongoing building renovations at BEKI. Phase I renovations (2003-2004) included replacing the main HVAC plant which dated from 1959. Phase II renovations (2005-2006) included replacing incandescent lighting with fluorescent lighting in the lobby and hallway areas, replacing incandescent exit signs with LED signs, insulating the lobby ceiling, replacing single-pane windows, adding window treatments, replacing fan coil “blower” units, installing zoned thermostatic controls, and adding bypass valves to eight major blower units in the sanctuary, social hall and lower social hall.

 

EV ReCharging & Parking

Free (up to 9 hours) recharging for Electric Vehicles is available next-door at the Whalley & Blake Municipal parking lot.  Members who wish to slow-charge with an outdoor 110v outlet in the BEKI lot can get instructions from the office.

Photovoltaic Installation 2006

suntsvi

In the autumn of 2005, Tsvi Benson-Tilsen, then a seventh-grade student, began the process of planning and installing a grid-tied photovoltaic array on the BEKI roof as a bar mitzva project.

A 10,500 watt grid-tied array was installed in August-September 2006 (see image, right, by Allan Appel, courtesy of newhavenindependent.org) and became fully operational on 03 February 2007, coinciding with Tu BeShevat. SunlightSolar Energy, Inc., provided technical and installation services.

The electricity produced by the array reduces the wattage that the synagogue draws from the power grid. When the array produces more than the synagogue’s demand, it supplies electricity to the grid.

solinst

Benefits of the solar array include reducing pollution and the detrimental effects on public health which are associated with the burning of fossil fuels. Production of greenhouse gasses, which contribute to global warming, is reduced. The array reduces the need for new centralized fossil-fuel based power plants, new power transmission lines, and the potential for service interruptions. Most significantly, on hot or cold sunny days, when the demand on the power grid is highest, when power companies turn on the dirtiest and least efficient backup generators, the array is busily and quietly producing pollution-free electricity for the grid. Photovoltaic generation can be a direct replacement for the most expensive and dirtiest power plants.

Major funding for the array was provided by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, and funding for the associated educational activities by the Legacy Heritage Innovation Project of the Legacy Heritage Fund. Additional funding was provided by over 150 individual donors.

Technical Specifications & Efficiency

pvroof

The array comprises 48 panels manufactured by Sunpower Corporation (model 220). The array is oriented 100% optimally toward True South, and the tilt toward the sun is 91% of optimal. The roof is virtually unobstructed allowing more than 95% of the sunlight to reach the panels; the adjusted solar exposure (ASE) is 97%.

The rate of return on the investment (excluding the CCEF‘s support) is expected to be about 5% to 6%, or a payback period of about 15 to 20 years. However, factors such as electric rates, hurricanes, major earthquakes, and rapid catastrophic climate change could affect the rate of return. Since the array was a gift to the synagogue, it was “free” from the perspective of the Congregation’s operating or capital budget. Maintenance costs are expected to be zero in the first fifteen years.

Press coverage of the project

Solar 2015

In the spring of 2015, a project was undertaken to purchase and install a 40,000 Watt grid-tied array on the roof of the classroom wing and the roof of the social hall.  The installation went on-line 8 October 2015.  The array comprises 141 LG PV panels (model LG270S1C-B3) and matching Enphase micro inverters (model M215), using a Unirac RM ballasted mounting system.  Special care was taken to protect the new roof on which the array is placed and to comply with roof warranty conditions.  The project qualified for a zREC contract with the local utility.  The project budget was $140,000 and included all system components, labor, roof inspections, engineering studies, permits and other related expenses.   Sun-Wind Solutions (Fairfield) provided the system and services.  The array reduces the building’s carbon emissions by about 30 metric tons per year, according to the EPA model.

See the arrangement of the panels on the roof.  See the current and cumulative system output.

Officer Yaron Lew led the project.  For more information or to contribute to this effort, contact  president@beki.org .

Other Measures

Three electrically cooled water fountains were replaced by one. An old refrigerator in the serving kitchen (upstairs) was replaced by a modern unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR®. Leaking heating and cooling pipes were repaired in the lower social hall. Broken window panes were replaced. Parking lot security lights were put under control of timers or photocells. Most CRT computer monitors were replaced with LCD monitors that have earned the ENERGY STAR. Incandescent bulbs were replaced with LED bulbs in remaining old illuminated exit signs, saving over 1,000 kWh per year (and an hour a year in labor due to the longer life of the LEDs). Incandescent bulbs were replaced with LED bulbs in the sanctuary’s ornamental menora, saving 40 kWh per year (and an hour a year in labor due to the difficulty in reaching these bulbs). Staff and volunteers are continually reminded to “turn off the lights” and to avoid wasteful consumption. By leaving off selected incandescent bulbs in the sanctuary on sunny days, 672 kWh per year were saved, with no noticeable reduction in illumination.  A few remaining high-output stage lights in the sanctuary, and halogen lamps in the entry way and art display areas were replaced in Spring 2015.

An initiative to promote Conservation and Alternative and Renewable Energy as Jewish values was begun in 2006 as a Legacy Heritage Innovation Project funded by the Legacy Heritage Fund. This initiative uses the existing education structures of the Congregation as vehicles to further awareness and action. The initiative also aims to improve the way groups and individuals in the Congregation work together. The initiative is being incorporated in all existing programs, and many of the specific conservation and alternative energy measures discussed here were implemented through these programs. A midyear (December 2006) progress report is available.

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