SYLVANIA, Ohio (WTVG) – A new solar energy project is coming to Sylvania. The Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio, are teaming up with Elevated Energy to create the $5 million project.
13 Action News spoke with Sister Nancy Linenkugel, who said this is part of their mission to celebrate and honor God’s gifts and creations — and what better way to embrace his gift of light.
What is now a parking lot on the Sisters of St. Francis campus will soon be transformed into a solar carport.
“The sisters of Saint Francis is launching a $5 million solar initiative, which is part of a larger solar vision. This is phase one and it’s slated for a million and a half [dollars],” said Sara Grunberg, Sustainability Coordinator for the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio.
The Sisters said the solar project will reduce around 328 metric tons of carbon emissions annually and save $63,000 in yearly energy costs.
“The sisters have been pioneers of this work forever, and they committed to Laudato Si’ a few years ago, which is an encyclical written by Pope Francis, and it’s just a continuation of that commitment,” said Grunberg.
Laudato Si’ supports “ecological economics”, “environmental education,” and “community empowerment.”
“Laudato Si’, praise be you my Lord for Brother Sun,“ said Sister Nancy Linenkugel, Congregational Minister of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, OH. “We value creation, we value the environment. We value nature, we value the animals that are here, we just appreciate the sense that this is a gift of god’s creation and how can we best use it.”
The Sisters have done other sustainability efforts in the past, including a composting program and donating more than 500 pounds of fresh produce from the Grateful Harvest Community Garden.
All with the goal of following Laudato Si’ and carrying out the Pope’s vision.
“Pope Francis is the one who promulgated the words ‘Laudato Si’ in an encyclical because he was very concerned about the environment, about the future of the earth and how we are treating this as our gift,” said Sister Linenkugel.
The solar carport is expected to begin construction in the summer and be completed by the fall.
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This article was published by WTVG on 2025-04-23 18:23:00
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