Congress Passes Bill That Cuts Critical Funding for Congregational Solar Projects

Jul 4

ATLANTA — Yesterday, Congress passed a budget reconciliation bill that will have devastating impacts on faithful Georgians and the environment. Among cuts to many community assistance programs, the bill notably guts clean energy tax credits that have led to a more than 50 percent increase in congregational solar installations over the last four years through Georgia Interfaith Power and Light’s (GIPL) Solar-Wise program.

“It is incredibly disheartening to see partisan politics take precedent over real impacts to people and our planet,” said Hannah Shultz, Program Director at GIPL. “Solar tax incentives have allowed over a dozen faith communities in the last several years to build resilience, reduce their electric costs, and reinvest savings into vital mission and ministry initiatives in service to their communities.”

The new law, which the President is expected to sign today, accelerates the phaseout of tax credits for congregations. If purchasing a new solar system outright, faith communities must begin construction within one year or have their system placed in service by Dec. 31, 2027, to receive the full tax credit.

While a number of Georgia congregations have applied for credits directly, the majority have accessed solar through innovative financing programs like Georgia BRIGHT—which is an Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Solar For All funded program that takes advantage of the tax credits to offer affordable solar leases to nonprofits and residential customers with no upfront costs.

Although the bill rescinds unobligated funds for nonprofits participating in the Solar for All programs, it is important to note Georgia BRIGHT’s funding is fully obligated. Their Community Benefit Solar program, designed to serve congregations, is on track to launch later this year.

“While this is not the bill we had prayed or petitioned for, we are actively working to ensure faith-based solar growth in Georgia continues,” said Codi Norred, Executive Director at GIPL. “We will continue to offer low-cost solar assessments and zero-interest solar loans to congregations, and seek every viable path in deploying clean energy solutions locally.”

Over the last 20 years, GIPL’s Solar-Wise program has helped over 25 congregations complete solar installations in Georgia. Acting as the liaison between congregations and solar installers, GIPL team members have helped faith communities assess proposals and find financing for projects. Recent projects have been completed at Dunwoody United Methodist Church; the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Statesboro; Trinity Episcopal Church, Statesboro; and North Decatur United Methodist Church.

Faith communities with questions about congregational solar or GIPL’s solar loan should visit gipl.org/solar or email programs@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.