Catholic School in Decatur, Georgia Goes Solar, Responding to Pope’s Call to Care for Creation

Aug 5

Decatur, Ga — Last week, St. Thomas More Catholic Church and School in Decatur, Georgia, took a major step toward environmental sustainability by installing 100 solar panels on their roof, with the help of Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL) and Georgia BRIGHT. Serving nearly 500 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, the project reflects St. Thomas More’s deep commitment to responsibility and Catholic social teachings.

The milestone also comes on the heels of Pope Leo XIV’s renewed call to care for Creation, urging the global Church of more than 1.4 billion that “Now is the time to follow words with deeds.”

“Working with St. Thomas More and the Archdiocese for several years now, we’re thrilled to see this project finally come to life,” said Hannah Shultz, GIPL’s Program Director. “The system stands as a symbol of hope for the City of Decatur and a powerful witness to how faith can drive real, positive change in the world.”

“As Catholics, we are called to be caretakers of God’s Earth,” said Fr. Robert Hussey, pastor of St. Thomas More. “This solar installation is a faithful response to that call, and an act of stewardship that honors both the beauty of Creation and the needs of future generations.”

As part of a broader Laudato Si’ sustainability initiative within the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta, St. Thomas More is the first Catholic school in Georgia to go solar, and the first Catholic parish to enter into a Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA) with Georgia BRIGHT, a program of the national nonprofit Capital Good Fund. Georgia BRIGHT's pilot program has allowed nonprofits and homeowners to access solar with zero upfront costs by leveraging federal tax credits, grants, and bulk purchasing.

Installed by Sunpath Solar, from contract to commissioning, the project was completed in under three weeks, just in time for the new school year. The system is expected to generate 60 percent of the school’s annual energy needs, saving the faith community over $14,500 annually in utility costs. Over the system’s lifetime, it will prevent the release of more than 1,308 tons of carbon dioxide—the equivalent of planting 19,623 trees.

“Every panel on this roof represents thousands of dollars St. Thomas More can divert from paying electricity bills to providing enriched education to students,” said Seth Gunning, CEO of Sunpath Solar. “St. Thomas More is showing what it means to combine practical action with spiritual conviction.”

“St. Thomas More’s solar installation is a clear example of how going green can be both financially and environmentally smart,” said Alicia Brown, Director of Georgia BRIGHT. “Thanks to innovative financing through Georgia BRIGHT, the school paid nothing upfront. It’s a win for their bottom line, a win for Decatur, and a win for our Common Home.”

“This project is a powerful expression of our Catholic commitment to care for Creation,” said Kat Doyle, Director of Justice and Peace Ministries for the Archdiocese of Atlanta. “St. Thomas More is helping lead the way for congregations and faith-based schools across Georgia, showing that sustainability and faith go hand in hand.”

St. Thomas More’s solar installation is part of a growing statewide movement. Through their Solar-Wise program, GIPL has now helped over 50 congregations across Georgia explore solar energy as a pathway to stewardship, sustainability, and resilience, with three more projects expected to be completed this month.

To learn more about GIPL’s Solar-Wise program and how your congregation can go solar, visit gipl.org/solar or email info@gipl.org.

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Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that inspires and equips communities of faith to organize, implement practical climate solutions, and advocate across Georgia on issues of climate change, environmental justice, and community resilience. Born out of the national Interfaith Power and Light movement, GIPL envisions a Georgia where all people can flourish in a healthy environment, a stable climate, and resilient communities.