Trinity Presbyterian Brings Solar Ministry Home
ATLANTA — For years, Trinity Presbyterian Church has had deep relationships with mission partners in Cuba and on the island of La Gonâve, Haiti. With those partners, Trinity has supported the installation of solar panels on the roof of a medical clinic in Haiti and, earlier this year, traveled to Cuba to provide resources for solar panels to support ministry partners through the country’s ongoing energy crisis, where blackouts routinely interrupt hospitals, schools, and homes. At the same time, Trinity was planning to install solar panels on its own campus, living out a commitment to cleaner energy and reducing environmental impact, as well as realizing savings on utility bills. This spring, Trinity installed more than 400 solar panels that now supply 20% of Trinity’s energy needs.
“The conversation about solar at Trinity started with our commitment to creation care,” says Rev. Lucy Strong, Pastor for Mission and Engagement at Trinity. “We wanted to be better stewards of the environment and needed to start with our own energy use at home. Then, as the power grid in Cuba failed, our partners there desperately needed access to solar in order to live and work and solar panels became part of a much bigger conversation about justice and how we love our neighbors.”
Installed and financed by Cherry Street Energy, the new 183 kW rooftop system at Trinity is expected to generate more than 245,000 kilowatt-hours of clean electricity each year and offset roughly 162 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually — the equivalent of the electricity used by 30 homes over the same period. In its first year of operation, the array is projected to save the church more than $1,500, with estimated savings topping $175,000 over the life of the system.
“The solar panels on our roof mark a truly exciting chapter in our church’s history! We reduce our carbon footprint on the world while saving money on our power bills. Creation Care is part of our mission work, and this is a perfect fit,” says Esther Stokes, Creation Care Team member at Trinity Presbyterian Church. “We hope to expand this work in many additional, impactful ways.”
The project was made possible thanks to the support of Georgia Interfaith Power & Light® (GIPL), a faith-based environmental nonprofit working with over 650 congregations across the state to implement practical climate solutions and advocate for clean energy across Georgia.
“Trinity shows what’s possible when a congregation treats clean energy as an act of faith,” says Codi Norred, Executive Director of GIPL. “Through our Solar-Wise program, we’re seeing faith communities learn from one another and take real steps toward affordable, reliable power. Every congregation that goes solar makes it easier for the next one to follow.”
The congregation marked the milestone on Sunday, Aug. 23, gathering after worship to bless the arrays and share SUNdaes. Over 150 people attended, including representatives from Cherry Street Energy and GIPL.
Trinity is the tenth congregation this year to install solar through GIPL’s Solar-Wise program and the third religious institution to work with Cherry Street.
“We are proud to help create a more sustainable operating model for Trinity Presbyterian Church, providing a practical, cost-effective way for them to transition their operations to renewable energy,” says Michael Chanin, CEO of Cherry Street Energy. “Faith-based communities are often at the forefront of environmental responsibility.”
If your congregation is interested in learning more about solar, reach out to GIPL today: gipl.org/solar
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Georgia Interfaith Power & 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. gipl.org
Cherry Street Energy is the leading provider of commercial-level renewable energy in the Southeast. The company finances, designs, installs, operates and maintains industry-leading solar power systems for customers including Delta Air Lines, Porsche Cars North America and Gulfstream Aerospace, and local governments such as the City of Atlanta, Fulton County and the City of Savannah. Because Cherry Street owns the systems and sells the power they generate, customers can access reliable, affordable renewable energy directly where their facilities consume it. cherrystreet.com
Trinity Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the PC(USA). As a community of faith, Trinity is committed to making God’s love visible by welcoming all people, rooting our lives in shared worship, learning, and fellowship, and serving God and neighbor together. trinityatlanta.org
Photo of solar array on the roof of Trinity Presbyterian Church, courtesy of Cherry Street Energy.
REV. JAY HORTON
Communications Manager
Georgia Interfaith Power & Light
Phone: 404-377-5552
Email: jay@gipl.org
