Suggested Practices and Examples for Implementation:

• Install solar panels (if solar makes sense for your building/property location).
  • Solar (& community solar in particular) helps your neighborhood become climate resilient. Get inspired by learning about how these congregations have gone solar together!
• Solar doesn’t work for your building? Look into a geothermal heating and cooling pump. 
• Volunteer in your community to help others weatherize, access renewable energy, and receive the support they need. Make it a regular part of your creation care ministry. 
• Install electric car charging stations in your parking lot. 
• Organize your congregation to encourage your city/town to go solar, install electric car charging stations, etc. 
• Learn about energy democracy and how your congregation can advocate for energy justice in your community.  Do that advocacy and organizing work. 

General Information Related to this Strategy:

• Solar best practices for congregations
• State incentives for renewables and efficiency
• Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
• Energy Democracy Project
• Duke Energy-Small Business Energy Assessment

Available Resources in Western North Carolina:

• Solar Financing Support from Inflation Reduction Act
  • Contact John Morrison at NC Clean Future: jmorriso23@catawba.edu, 919.602.3512
• Solar Finance Fund (Mitchell & Rutherford Counties)
• Solar Leasing 
• Solar Step-by-Step for Congregations
• Renewable Energy Initiatives in Buncombe County via Blue Horizons Project
• Weatherizing and energy conservation via Energy Savers Network
• Support for sustainable design and renewable energy in WNC via Green Built Alliance
• Going Solar Presentation for Congregations
  • Contact Enrique Sanchez: enri13san@gmail.com
  • Contact Bill Maloney: maloneyw@bellsouth.net
• Appalachian Voices -Energy Democracy Program
  • Contact Juhi Modi (they/them) at juhi@appvoices.org
• Solar Provider: Eagle Solar & Light
• Solar Provider: Sugar Hollow Solar 

Local Faith Communities with Solar/Renewable Energy:

• Trinity Presbyterian Church, Hendersonville, NC; contact Enrique Sanchez: enri13san@gmail.com
• High Country United Church of Christ, Vilas, NC (solar panels, improved insulation, programmable thermostats, regular maintenance of weather stripping)
  • Contact Rev. Tamara Franks: pastor@highcountryucc.org
• Congregation Beth HaTephila, Asheville, NC (solar panels, LED light installation, and energy conservation)
• First Congregational United Church of Christ, Hendersonville, NC (Geothermal heating/cooling).
• Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville, NC
• The Congregational Church (United Church of Christ), Tryon, NC
• St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Boone, NC
• St. John’s Episcopal Church, Asheville, NC
• St. Eugene Catholic Church, Asheville, NC
• Haywood Street Congregation, Asheville, NC
• Unitarian Universalist Association, Asheville, NC