Solar Panels for Churches and Houses of Worship
Updated August 7, 2024 | Reading Time: 5 minutes
Churches and houses of worship often face high electric bills due to their constant need for electricity to run services, power sound systems, and maintain lighting throughout the week. These facilities are frequently in use for community events, worship services, and other gatherings, contributing to significant energy consumption. Solar panels offer a sustainable solution to reduce these costs while promoting environmental responsibility.
Solar Incentives for Non-Profits
Legislation allows tax-exempt entities to file for the 30% federal solar tax credit despite having no tax liability. This allows nonprofits and other tax exempt organizations, like churches, to get paid directly for a percentage of their solar system’s total cost. Depending on the facility’s location and use of domestically produced materials, non-profits may receive between 30% and 70% payment toward their system’s costs.
Cut Energy Costs and Reallocate Church Funds
Churches can see a drop in electricity expenses after going solar. It’s even possible to eliminate electricity costs all together. Instead of paying an indefinite, fluctuating monthly bill, the savings can be reinvested in the organization for other activities.
Solar systems are a significant investment, but once they are paid for, they’ll essentially be generating free energy. The electricity rate will have no affect on the amount of energy your system produces.
Solar Payment Options for Churches
Churches and houses of worship can finance their solar systems just like residential or commercial buildings: cash purchase, loan, Power Purchase Agreement, or lease.
Learn More: Solar Payment Plans
A cash purchase and a loan are the only financing methods that would allow the church to file for the tax rebate. PPAs and leases do not let the property owner file for incentives as technically, the bank is the owner of the solar system.
Promoting Sustainability for the Community
Churches and houses of worship can be visited by thousands of people per week. Making a transition to solar on such a prominent property can expose congregants to the idea of renewable energy and can inspire them to convert their homes or businesses to solar. This chain reaction reduces the community’s carbon footprint which will sustain long-term positive effects on the environment.
Success Stories
St. Luke’s Church made the decision to explore solar energy for our church for two reasons – in order to reduce our climate impact, and in order to maximize our resources to maintain financial stability.
We chose to switch to solar as a step toward lowering our own environmental impact, and hope that our solar panels serve as a visible sign to others of our commitment to the environment.
By reducing our operating costs, we have more financial resources available for the life and work of the church – for fellowship, for worship, and for outreach programs that benefit our community.
I believe the break even point for us is about eight years in, after which point we are only benefitting from those savings. Given that the life of the panels will be significantly longer than eight years, the years that follow will be, for the most part, free energy.
We decided to work with Isaksen Solar on this project because, more than any other company I contacted, they were able to clearly break down the benefits of the program in a practical way, including helping us to take advantage of the tax credit available for solar energy. By talking the amount of the tax credit off of our original price, we were able to benefit from significant savings. Not all companies I contacted were willing or able to do this. From that point forward, Isaksen was incredibly easy to work with. Our project manager, Ken, explained the options very clearly to our vestry, and walked us through every step of the project (including an unexpected change in the location of the panels as a result of our roof inspection). Everyone I have worked with at Isaksen has been friendly, helpful, and kind. The installation process was easy, and the panels look great.
Before going solar, we were spending well over a thousand dollars a month in electric bills. Since activating our panels, our costs have been only a few hundred dollars a month, and I am hopeful that as we benefit from sunny summer days they will go even lower. This makes a significant difference in our operating budget, which frees up funding for other parts of our church life.
Call to Action: Local Churches and Houses of Worship
We are eager to collaborate with public organizations, like churches and other houses of worship, whose properties impact our community on such a broad scale. By embracing solar energy, these organizations can decrease high operating costs while setting an example for environmental awareness and sustainability.
If you have any questions or are looking to take the next step of your solar journey, we invite you to reach out to us, (508) 717-3820, or request your free quote. We look forward to a brighter, cleaner future for all who gather under your roof.
