Solar Powered Hindu Temple Sets Sustainable Example

[suchandra]

Solar Powered Hindu Temple Sets Sustainable Example

by <!----> Mahesh Basantani

http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/10/hindu-temple-to-run-on-solar-power/ <!---->

Spirituality seems to be taking a green course. The world’s largest solar kitchen has been installed by the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University and Academy for a Better World. And now a Hindu religious and cultural center in California has taken significant steps towards sustainability including running on solar power, reducing energy consumption and a plethora of planting trees. Currently under construction, this religious meeting place is being built as a place of love, peace and harmony, and protecting the environment is part of the vision.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and Cultural Center is scheduled to open in the summer of 2008, under the aegis of the BAPS organization. Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is a large socio-spiritual Hindu organization, with 3,300 centers and 55,000 volunteers worldwide. The organization attempts to address spiritual, moral and social challenges and issues faced by the world. And, the center is poised to set another wonderful example of sustainability by a religious organization.

The temple and cultural center will be installing a 60kW (kilowatt) grid-tied solar power system by GoGreenSolar. The system will generate more power than required by the temple and cultural center, and the extra power generated will be sent to the local grid for distribution. It has been estimated that the solar panels would reduce 1,556 tonnes of CO2 emissions, which is the equivalent to planting 62,244 trees, over a period of 25 years.

The center has also taken steps to reduce its electricity consumption by installing solar tube lighting. This eliminates the use of light bulbs during the day, drastically cutting the power consumption. This two-pronged strategy of generating electricity and reducing usage has the potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the temple. The center would plant some 400 species of trees to better the air quality in the area. As a prelude to this, the organization participated in a plantation drive this year on the Earth Day.

The entire center will be built on a 20 acre-site, northeast of the 71 Freeway, between Monte Vista and Central Avenues. The temple will cover approximately 10,000 square-foot, and the cultural center 33,781 square-foot. The main elements of the cultural center are classrooms, computer labs, gym, dining hall, kitchen, restaurant, gardens and living quarters. The center aims to promote religious and cultural harmony, and nurture a morally, spiritually and socially strong society.

+ BAPS Chino Hills Hindu Religious & Cultural Center

+ BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha

Via GoGreenSolar

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[theist]

Setting a good example. "Example is better than precept."

[suchandra]

 

Setting a good example. "Example is better than precept."

 

Here at our place solar energy is still too expensive in order to replace the old system. People have to pay huge installation fees and in case the thing doesn`t work properly can`t repay the installation costs. Also the technology seems to not having developed towards more effiency.

 

Solar Powered Hindu Temple in California to Open Summer 2008

by Matthew McDermott, Brooklyn, NY on 07.14.08

 

Science & Technology (solar)

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Eastern elevation rendering courtesy of BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Mandir

Recently I wrote about how Hindu temples in India have been making efforts to green their energy usage and commented that, given the core belief of the interconnectedness of all life in Sanatana Dharma, it wasn’t surprising that Hindu temples would embrace cleaner energy. Now comes word, via Inhabitat, that a new mandir (temple) and cultural center in Chino Hills, California has also embraced renewable energy.

 

BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Mandir to Get All Its Power from Solar


Currently under construction and, according to its website, scheduled to open later to this summer, the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir and Cultural Center will be entirely powered by a 60 KW solar power system. This system, installed by Los Angeles’ GoGreenSolar, will generate more power than the 109,000 square foot complex requires, with the balance being sent to the local electric grid.

Other green efforts at the center to include installing solar tube lighting so as to eliminate the use of light bulbs during the day, and extensive planting of trees on the site for the betterment of local air quality.

In addition to the temple and cultural center, the entire 20 acre complex will include classroom, a gym, a dining hall, a snack shop, an exhibition hall, and living quarters.

Reception Hall photo courtesy of BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Mandir

More information on the temple complex, including many project renderings and construction progress photos can be found at the BAPS Shree Swaminarayan website.