Power-Wise & Solar-Wise Case Study: Oakhurst Presbyterian Church
In today’s challenging climate, faith communities have a powerful role to play. As our society grapples with climate change and polarization, houses of worship are uniquely positioned to lead with hope, resilience, and action rooted in our spiritual teachings.
Georgia Interfaith Power & Light’s Power-Wise Program helps faith communities in Georgia reduce their energy use, lower utility costs, and become better stewards of our Common Home. Protecting our shared resources is a tangible way people of faith can answer the call to care for the Earth. Aligned with Drawdown Georgia's goals, Power-Wise supports one of the most impactful solutions to climate change: reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in buildings.
Oakhurst Presbyterian has shown just how transformative that can be for their bottom line and for Sacred Earth.
Power-Wise participants receive an Energy Audit that includes a list of recommendations for projects to increase their energy efficiency, leading to lower utility costs and reduced emissions. Oakhurst completed their first Power-Wise audit in 2019 and applied for the Power-Wise Matching Grant that fall. With the grant they received, Oakhurst went to work implementing the recommendations from their energy audit. Their projects included:
Blown-In Attic Insulation
LED Lighting Retrofit
WiFi Thermostat Upgrades
They finished the projects identified in their Power-Wise audit report by March 2021, but Oakhurst’s commitment to becoming a more environmentally friendly campus didn’t end there!
In 2018, the congregation also registered for GIPL’s Solar-Wise program. Solar-Wise is a GIPL program similar to Power-Wise, which offers low-cost solar assessments to congregations to see what impact solar panels could potentially have on a congregation's energy usage and carbon emissions.
In 2019, Oakhurst did a preliminary solar study for its congregation but was unable to proceed as the roof needed some repair. By 2022, they had new roofs and a new day dawned on their solar aspirations. They got a new solar study that year, and thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)* and a grant through the Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation’s Solar Moonshot Fund, they were able to proceed with an installation in 2024.
The 20.6-kilowatt system cost $57,920 and was installed by Alternative Energy Southeast (AES). Oakhurst Presbyterian received a $25,000 Solar Moonshot Grant from Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation, a $23,888 rebate via the Inflation Reduction Act, and the rest of the funds came from the church’s Peacemaking & Justice committee, individual contributions, and general church funds.
Over a 12-month span from Aug. 2024 to July 2025, Oakhurst was able to generate 41% of its energy from the solar panels.
After participating in Power-Wise and Solar-Wise, Oakhurst Presbyterian Church’s annual energy costs for electric and gas went from $23,058.22 in 2018 to $17,561.90 in 2025. A savings of $5,496.32!
Kathy Hancock, Green Team Leader and Congregation Elder noted, “With less money being spent on our electric energy needs, we’ve been able to dedicate more resources to strengthening our witness beyond the four walls, to embody God’s love and bring about peace, justice, and belonging by expanding programs that address issues such as: racism, inclusion for LGBTQIA+ people, and environmental justice.”
Your Congregation Can Be Next
If your congregation is inspired by Oakhurst’s journey, we invite you to register for the Power Wise Program HERE and take steps toward energy stewardship. Through an energy audit and personalized recommendations, GIPL will help you identify ways to reduce emissions, lower utility costs, and make a difference in how your congregation impacts the environment!
We encourage congregations to start with energy efficiency because it's the most immediate, cost-effective way to cut energy waste and save money. Once you've reduced your baseline energy use, solar becomes even more impactful and accessible. The savings you receive from energy efficiency can be used to pay, in part, for solar panels or directed to increase the work your congregation does in various ministries
Whether you're just starting or ready to go solar tomorrow, GIPL is here to walk with you. Reach out today, and let’s explore what’s possible together.
To register for Solar-Wise assessment, visit gipl.org/solar or email hannah@gipl.org.
*Oakhurst Presbyterian Church received a 40% rebate through the Inflation Reduction Act tax credit program, which has been able to give non-profits, including congregations, which are not tax-paying entities, these rebates in the form of a refund check in the amount of the credit. The IRA tax credit is 30% tax credit with the potential for added credits if your installation meets certain criteria. If your congregation is interested in exploring solar and applying for the Inflation Reduction Act tax credit, it is our strong recommendation to set up a conversation with Hannah Shultz, Program Director at hannah@gipl.org, ASAP, to understand the changing landscape of the tax credit’s availability and criteria.
