Practicing what they Preach: First Church Goes Solar

Swampscott, Massachusetts — On Sunday, January 5, the excitement was palpable at First Church Swampscott across from Governor Baker’s house. It wasn’t a wedding, a baptism, or an overflow festivity from their neighbor’s house that was the cause of celebration, but rather the completion of a 25.2 kW solar array, which will provide 100% of the church’s energy.

The United Church of Christ congregation has joined the ranks of a growing number of Massachusetts houses of worship that are embracing the transition to renewable energy. As the world’s great religions preach environmental stewardship, many communities are taking a hard look at their own contributions to climate change and seeking to rectify their impact. “As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves,” stated Pastor Ian Holland, “Our panels will reduce our carbon footprint dramatically, and are a powerful gesture of love to our neighbors locally and globally, and the generations to come who are at risk from climate change.” Karen Rose Brown, the Church Council Chairperson echoed the Pastor, “the solar panels now in place on the roof of First Church are one of many examples of our congregation’s commitment to the stewardship of the planet.” The congregation’s decision to switch to solar will have the same impact as preserving twenty-five acres of forest.

Beyond the calling to be stewards of the environment, the church’s decision to go solar also has impressive financial impacts. The 84 panels will produce 28,829 kwh in their first year and cover the full electricity needs of the building. This will generate a quarter of a million dollars in savings for the church in the next 25 years.

First Church Swampscott collaborated with Resonant Energy, a Dorchester based solar provider, to develop and oversee the project. According to a recent report, Resonant Energy has been responsible for 28% of all solar installations in houses of worship across the state. The company was able to work with Collective Sun to offer the church a financing mechanism called a Solar Purchase Agreement, which brought the cost of the project down and made the acquisition of solar a reality for the congregation. Through a bulk purchase agreement with Resonant Energy’s solar installation partner SunBug, the Church’s final price tag was brought down even more. The project also benefited from the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program, rolled out under their neighbor’s administration.

“It has been an honor to work with the First Church in Swampscott on this project as a highly visible demonstration of their values” says Resonant Energy co-founder Isaac Baker. “We’ve seen a big uptick in clean energy interest from houses of worship in the last two years, with UCC churches leading the way in both number and enthusiasm.”

For the sake of this one planet we all call home, let us hope this expansion of solar, exemplified by First Church Swampscott’s commitment to environmental stewardship, only continues to grow. It’s also nice to know that practicing what you preach doesn’t have to break the bank in the process.

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About First Church Swampscott

The First Church in Swampscott, Congregational, is a community of Christians seeking meaning, purpose, and mission through our participation in the life of our beautiful local church. We believe that God is Still Speaking and has something new and essential to say to us as we live in this ever more complex and challenging world. We don’t have all the answers, but we have some great questions.

About Resonant Energy

Resonant Energy is a community-based solar provider that believes that everyone has a right to clean affordable solar.We help under-invested communities take their place at the forefront of the global transition to clean energy. Through partnerships with local nonprofits, we deliver high quality solar arrays for houses of worship, affordable housing providers, and homeowners — regardless of income. Thanks to our network of local investors, we are making solar power accessible for low-income households and nonprofits at no upfront cost, and in some cases, at no cost at all. We currently serve communities in Massachusetts, New York City, and Long Island.

About SunBug Solar

SugBug Solar is a Massachusetts based solar company that was founded in 2009 and has installed over a thousand solar systems across the state. SunBug designs and builds all types of solar systems, ranging in size from 1kW to over 1MW, including residential, commercial, carports, and ground-mounts.

About CollectiveSun

CollectiveSun is one of America’s finest solar energy providers and financiers for non-profits. CollectiveSun believes that solar the best avenue to save non-profits money, and they specialize to make the transition and installation quick and easy. From loans to creative financing options, CollectiveSun is dedicated to bring power made by the people to the people.