By David Karas | Correspondent

A parish and school recently cut the ribbon on their solar panel displays, making them among the first of a growing number of diocesan properties to launch solar energy initiatives.

St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, and St. Benedict Parish and School, Homdel, recently invited local officials and members of the community to join with parish and school leaders to celebrate.

More than a dozen other diocesan entities have been working to plan for similar initiatives – whether they will consist of roof- or ground-mounted solar panels – at no cost to the diocese or individual parishes. Through special agreements, third-party corporations buy, install and maintain solar displays while parishes or schools are locked into a 15-year contract that lets them pay roughly half of their current electricity costs.

St. Mary Parish was the first in the diocese to complete such an initiative, and leaders there are already seeing the savings. A more formal celebration took place recently, during which Colts Neck Mayor Jarrett Engel shared his support for the project.

There, the large solar farm will reduce enough CO2 emissions to equate to the power demands of 28 residential homes or removing 15 cars from the road each year.

In Holmdel, 506 solar panels were installed on the ground behind St. Benedict School, and another 429 were mounted on the roof, parish administrator Cathy Warshaw said. She is also a consultant for other parishes interested in similar initiatives.

At the recent ribbon-cutting ceremony, Holmdel Township Mayor Patrick Impreveduto hailed the Garden State as a forerunner in solar energy use. Mary Ellen Lilly, St. Benedict School principal, said she is looking forward to seeing students reap the benefits of the solar initiative.

See related story:  ‘GOING SOLAR’