Turn Sunlight into
Unrestricted Revenue
Install solar panels with zero upfront cost, save $180K–$200K per church over 25 years, and redirect savings to hire youth staff—while training your community for green-collar jobs.
Your Utility Bills Are Stealing Ministry Dollars
Black churches pay disproportionately high energy costs due to aging buildings and inefficient systems—funds that could hire staff, serve communities, and build generational wealth.
The Extraction Problem
Energy costs are often the 2nd largest budget line after personnel. That's $6K–$15K/year leaving the community to enrich utility shareholders.
The Barrier Problem
Churches couldn't access federal solar tax credits due to tax-exempt status—until the Inflation Reduction Act changed everything.
The Climate Problem
Black communities face disproportionate climate vulnerability—heat islands, flooding, power outages—with no backup infrastructure.
California Pilot: 3 Churches, $580K in Lifetime Savings
The Solar for BIPOC Houses of Worship initiative deployed $120K to save churches nearly 5x that amount over 25 years—proving the model works.
| Church | Location | System Size | 25-Year Savings | CO₂ Offset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McGee Avenue Baptist | Berkeley, CA | 14.2 kW | $197,085 | 800K lbs |
| New Hope Baptist | Oakland, CA | 17.5 kW | $181,530 | 900K lbs |
| Watts-Willowbrook COGIC | Compton, CA | 13.7 kW | $201,709 | 700K lbs |
| Total (3 Churches) | $580,324 | 2.5M lbs | ||
How McGee Avenue Baptist Reinvested Savings
Rather than just padding the general fund, McGee Avenue Baptist Church used its projected $197K in lifetime savings to:
- Hire a full-time youth director to serve local teens
- Expand music ministry programming and scholarships
- Convert energy capital into human capital—keeping wealth in the community
Zero-Upfront Financing Models
The Inflation Reduction Act and innovative nonprofits have made solar accessible to churches—without touching your building fund.
RE-volv Solar Seed Fund (Recommended)
RE-volv raises philanthropic capital ($3M from Kresge & Schmidt Foundations) to pay for solar installations upfront. Your church repays via a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) over 20 years at rates lower than your current utility bill.
Direct Pay Tax Credits (Inflation Reduction Act)
The IRA allows tax-exempt organizations (including churches) to receive 30–50% cash refunds for solar installation costs. You pay upfront, then get reimbursed by the IRS.
DOE Energy Efficiency Grants
The Department of Energy offers up to $200K grants for nonprofits to upgrade to LED lighting, HVAC systems, and solar panels.
Coalition Buying Power (Network Advantage)
When 10–50 churches negotiate together, you secure bulk pricing that reduces per-unit installation costs by 15–25%.
A single church pays $40K for a 15 kW system. A network of 20 churches pays $32K per system through bulk negotiation—saving each church $8K.
Climate Resilience + Workforce Development
Solar cooperatives don't just save money—they create emergency infrastructure and green-collar job pipelines.
Resilience Hubs During Emergencies
Churches with solar + battery backup become community lifelines during heat waves, hurricanes, and grid failures.
- Cooling Centers: Provide AC during heat waves (Black communities face 10°F higher temps)
- Medical Device Power: Keep CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators running
- Food Security: Prevent refrigerator spoilage during outages
- Example: The Brook (LA) installed 12kW + battery to serve as emergency hub
Green-Collar Job Training Pipeline
Organizations like Green The Church train community members in solar installation—creating pathways to $18–$25/hr careers.
- Apprenticeship Model: Local residents trained during church installations
- NABCEP Certification: Industry-recognized credentials
- Income Impact: Green jobs transition workers from $12/hr to $18–$25/hr
- Local Hiring Quotas: Network installations create 5–15 jobs per cohort
How Solar Multiplies Wealth in Black Communities
Wealth Retention
Energy costs extraction: $6K–$15K/year leaving Black communities. Solar keeps those funds local, converting energy capital into human capital (hiring staff, programming).
Budget Stability
Lock in electricity rates for 20–25 years via PPA, insulating churches from volatile utility rate hikes. Predictability = better ministry planning.
Anti-Displacement Tool
Churches with revenue-generating solar assets are less vulnerable to gentrification pressure. Real estate utility validates the church's economic presence in changing neighborhoods.
Environmental Justice
Black communities face disproportionate energy burden (higher % of income on utilities) and climate vulnerability. Solar addresses both economic and environmental injustice.
Your 90-Day Launch: From Planning to First Installation
Launch a pilot cohort of 5–10 churches using the RE-volv PPA model.
Days 1–30: Recruit + Feasibility
Identify pilot churches and conduct site assessments
- Recruit 5–10 pilot churches with suitable roofs (south-facing, minimal shade, structurally sound)
- Partner with RE-volv or Interfaith Power & Light for free feasibility studies
- Gather 12 months of utility bills from each church to calculate savings potential
- Site visits: Structural engineer + solar installer assess roof integrity
Days 31–60: Legal + Financing
Negotiate contracts and secure funding commitments
- Sign PPAs: RE-volv provides templates; each church signs 20-year agreement
- Congregational votes: Each church formally approves the PPA (most require 2/3 majority)
- Apply for IRA Direct Pay credits (if applicable) or confirm RE-volv funding
- Insurance review: Update church liability/property policies to cover solar assets
Days 61–90: Installation + Activation
Install panels and launch workforce training
- Contractor installs panels (typically 2–5 days per church)
- Recruit 5–10 community members for paid apprenticeships during installation
- Utility interconnection: City inspectors approve systems for grid connection
- Launch celebration: Host "Lights On" Sunday with panel blessing and savings announcement
Includes PPA templates, insurance checklists, workforce training curriculum
Ready to Turn Sunlight into Ministry Revenue?
The Green Energy Cooperative model has saved California churches $580K—and it's just the beginning. Join the network.