We have gone solar! This longtime dream of the church has become a reality this week. For over a year, proposals from several companies have been carefully researched to find the best fit for our current and future energy needs, especially considering the unpredictable effects of increasing climate change. It took many hours of conversation with them, the Trustees, and the Finance Committee to land on a design that should serve us for many years to come. Here are some of the details:
- This system will supply 100% of our electricity needs. We will still use natural gas but that is a small part of our energy usage.
- Solar panels are mounted on the roof of Global Vision School next door
- There are batteries to store energy for night-time and cloudy day usage
- We will remain connected to the grid in case more power is needed, but we will not be selling energy back to SDGE; excess energy will be stored in batteries for our own use
Costs of the system have been covered from funds specifically earmarked for building maintenance and upgrades, so there is no fundraising needed and the annual budget is not affected in any way. (Except for lowering our utility costs greatly!)
Why Go Solar?
The reasons may seem obvious: a solar system greatly reduces our reliance on fossil fuels. This is a significant way to care for the environment and decrease our contribution to climate change. A big advantage of solar energy is that sunshine is free– so our monthly utility costs will immediately drop. Over time this savings will pay for the initial cost of the infrastructure and minimal maintenance.
Our vision as a church is to open our doors wider to our neighborhood, especially as we anticipate increased climate emergencies. For example, we are already a Cool Zone that provides a space during heat waves where anyone without AC can find relief. There are many ways we are planning to use our building to love our neighbors; converting to low-cost electricity helps make that possible.
But another, more subtle Why is the reality of “environmental racism”: the chronic injustice that marginalized and BIPOC groups suffer from environmental and climate related events sooner, greater, and longer than the majority culture. So switching to a 100% solar electricity system is a very concrete way that NHUnited can care for and be in solidarity with all of our neighbors, and especially those who are already marginalized.
We hope you’ll join us in celebrating this longtime dream becoming reality!
