Warming up to the idea of going solar? Although Iowa is the leading state when it comes to wind energy, we believe in the potential that solar can climb to the top too. Investing in clean energy sources holistically aligns with creating a future where all Iowans can live in a healthy and sustainable community. Installing solar at your house of worship is a great way to make the move towards embracing a clean and dependable way to power our communities. With incentives now available for congregations and faith communities, we want to take a deep dive into how you can benefit from these opportunities.
Installing solar can help create pathways to a cleaner Earth, while showing compassionate love for ourselves and our communities. As a renewable energy source that is capable of generating electricity in any climate, solar will:
☀️ Produce zero carbon emissions and other heat trapping greenhouse gasses
☀️ Improve cost efficiency over time that will end up saving on energy bills
☀️ Boost independence from other non-renewable energy sources, such as coal or natural gas
Before the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), churches and facilities used by faith communities were unable to benefit from solar tax credits and/or rebate programs. Thanks to the IRA, tax-exempt organizations and entities are now provided with an opportunity to take advantage of solar incentives. While tax paying entities typically receive the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) as a check for 30% of the solar project cost, tax-exempt organizations can now qualify for federal solar incentive opportunities through a “direct pay” option. Under this option, eligible tax-exempt faith-based organizations will receive a refund for a percentage of the cost of the solar project as a cash payment, instead of through tax deductions. The Iowa Solar Energy Trade Association (ISETA) helps navigate through Iowa’s solar policies and can help ensure that your solar installer is up-to-date with laws and incentives. They can also assist with system financing and understanding contract terms.
Here are a couple of things to consider before installing solar that may help smooth out the process:
☀️ Schedule an energy efficiency audit to figure out what updates you could make to your facility that might impact your total savings, as well as what size of solar energy system you’ll need to meet your energy goals.
☀️ Have a look at the Cool Congregations website, a national Interfaith Power & Light program. It is a great resource that helps congregations reduce and engage with their carbon footprint.
☀️ Talk to your utility provider to understand more about your rate structure, changes in usage rate, and monthly service charges that will help show how your overall bill will be impacted.
☀️ Keep in mind that if you want a roof-mounted system instead of a ground-mounted system, the condition of the roof will need to be examined (evaluated), and any repairs will need to be done before construction begins. Another option would be to install a ground-mounted solar system.
For more information on the specifics of investing and installing solar for your faith-based organization, contact a local solar consultant who can help guide you through the process. Check out the national Interfaith Power & Light website for more resources and inspiration.