GIPL helps Oakhurst Presbyterian Church Secure Solar

Jul 15

Decatur, Ga. — As of Wednesday, July 10, 2024, with the help of Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL), Oakhurst Presbyterian Church in Decatur now has the capacity to produce 20.6 kW of its own power thanks to 51 newly installed solar panels on the congregation’s roof. Visible from the street, these panels are a witness to the church’s work as stewards of Sacred Earth.

“As Christians, we are called in Genesis to steward Creation,” says Rev. Katie Ricks, pastor at Oakhurst Presbyterian. “Going solar was a way for us to live out our values!”

GIPL has worked with Oakhurst since 2018. As part of the Solar-Wise Program, GIPL completed a low-cost solar assessment for the congregation and served as a liaison between the church and various solar installers during the bidding process. Alternative Energy Southeast (AES) completed the installation. The total project cost was $59,720. The congregation received a $25,000 Solar Moonshot Grant from the Hammond Climate Solutions and BQuest Foundations. In addition, Oakhurst Presbyterian will be applying for funds from the Inflation Reduction Act’s Direct Pay program to cover 40% of the total cost, $23,888. The out-of-pocket cost for the church is only $10,832.

“It’s exciting to see more congregations, like Oakhurst, able to take advantage of solar thanks to Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act,” says Hannah Shultz, Program Director at GIPL. “In the long-term, solar allows faith communities to become models of resilience, lowering utility costs and investing more resources in mission and ministry.”

Over the next 30 years, Oakhurst is estimated to save $146,000 in utility costs and offset 360 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

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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. An affiliate 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.