Rabbi Aaron Krauss proudly stands with Committee Chairman Will Kahane (left) and co-chairman Gerry Spanier (right) as Beth El Synagogue becomes the first area shul to use solar energy. Beth El Synagogue in Margate is going “green” by going SOLAR. It will be the first synagogue in South Jersey (perhaps in the whole state) to have a large-scale installation of enough roof-mounted solar energy generating panels to likely power everything electric in the building over the whole year.

According to Beth El Acting President Gerry Spanier approximately 260 panels will be installed on most of the roofs over the building, generating over 50,000 watts in typical Margate sunlight. Beth El will use the sunlight from the sun that G-d created on the second day of creation.

As the sign over the front door says, the solar energy system will generate approximately 58,000 kilowatt-hours of real electricity per year – just the kind used to power lights, air – conditioners, fans, office equipment, even the Ner Tamid. Much oil, whether imported or domestic, will not be used or needed, and over 100 tons of carbon dioxide will not be created every year.

A huge inverter that turns the DC from the rooftop panels into the AC for the electricity is already in place in the building, and as soon as the system is operational Beth El will give tours!

The solar generation system was designed and is being installed by Bright Idea Energy LLC. of Egg Harbor Township.