Cathedral’s Solar Power Takes a Little Heat

Re “Cathedral to Tap Solar Power for Electricity,” Aug. 16: It strikes me as incredible that the $600,000 solar panel will only generate 10% to 15% of the electricity for Cardinal Roger Mahony’s cathedral. It is reported that the solar panels will generate 66 kilowatts, an amount equivalent to the power used by 66 single-family homes. By that figuring, the cathedral’s electric needs are equivalent to at least 500 single-family homes.

While I applaud the efforts of large organizations to go (partly) solar and eliminate the need for grid power, what has happened to conservation? Surely lights, small appliances and electronics would not consume so many kilowatts. In my experience it is 24-hour refrigeration and heating that are the big draws. And solar electricity is not generally considered a good source for space heating. I hope it isn’t being used for that.

William L. Seavey

Grover Beach, Calif.