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Pennsylvania congregation sets stewardship example

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October 10, 2024

University Mennonite Church (UMC) in State College, Pennsylvania, is part of a growing choir of churches across the country using solar energy to benefit their missions, ministries, and finances.

Before going solar in 2023, the church was struggling with the energy inefficiencies of an older building. Annual electrical costs upwards of $5,000 needed to be addressed. In search of savings, they made efficiency upgrades throughout the building including new insulation and LED lighting. The church’s Creation Care Committee, buoyed by the success of these initial improvements, saw an opportunity to make an even bigger impact. They resolved to take charge of their energy production altogether and set their sights on solar.

“When we decided to do this, we had to go to the congregation and a lot of people were skeptical. They didn’t know a lot about how these things work,” said James Rosenberger, the church’s treasurer. Laying out the finances of the project helped get everyone on board. “When we did the calculations, we easily convinced the congregation we need to go ahead, because it’ll pay itself off in about eight years. So it’s a good move economically just from that point of view.” 

Members of the congregation pledged $20,000 towards the project. The church planned to take out a loan for the remaining amount before discovering they were eligible for a renewable energy project grant through their utility company, West Penn Power. The West Penn Energy Fund awarded them $25,000. They also received financial support from the Mennonite Creation Care Network, and their installer who helped them benefit from $10,000 in federal solar incentives.

With a coalition of support behind them, the church installed a 27-kilowatt system made up of 75 panels. The system provides the practical benefit of covering nearly all their electricity needs, but also serves as a symbol of their commitment to environmental stewardship. “We had a choice of putting the solar panels on the front or the back of the church because there wasn’t much difference from an efficiency point of view. So we elected to put them on the front of the church so that it’s visible from the street,” said James. “Signifying our interest in the environment and [energy] efficiency was something that we really wanted to promote.”  

Since UMC installed their array, a number of other congregations have reached out to learn more about the process of going solar. “It’s good for other churches to hear about and think about,” said James.

The placement of the church’s panels are having the desired effect. They are not only communicating UMC’s commitment to creation care, but that it is possible for a small church in a small town to go solar, cut costs, and make a big impact on their community.