This blog boat was submitted by our covenant partner congregation, First Presbyterian Church Asheville! Learn more about their journey to solar below.

The Creator is all-powerful, as demonstrated in the wind (hurricanes, tornadoes), fire (wildfires, burning buildings), and water (waves, floods). There is only one physical source of power that the Creator shares with us – the sun. We can use that light to make electricity without burning fossil fuels or creating carbon dioxide. After a nearly twenty-year effort, First Presbyterian Church in Asheville (FPCA) has 58 solar panels on its flat roof sections. These panels will provide solar power for approximately 34% of the church’s electricity use, or $1000/month. The cost of the panels and installation was $74,000. A 30% Duke Energy rebate and a 30% direct payment through the Inflation The Inflation Reduction Act, plus generous donations from the congregation, lowered the balance to zero so there would be no capital cost to the church. The panels are expected to have a productive life of 25 to 30 years.

Several issues slowed the project over the years. A major concern was that FPCA is a historic church with a slate roof, and the congregation did not want solar panels on the slate roof. Then there was a proposal to build a several-story building across the street that would block the sun and minimize the solar gain. When it was learned that the building would not be constructed, a capital campaign at the church was being planned to restore the organ and improve the sanctuary. Those organizing the campaign didn’t want funding the solar panels to compete for church members’ donations.

The FPCA Creation Care Team put together a much smaller proposal to install an electric vehicle charging station powered by solar panels in the church parking lot. This proposal also met with resistance because the parking lot is small and there aren’t enough spaces to devote two to three of them to electric vehicles.

Efforts slowed until Tom Young joined the Creation Care Team and devoted his time to the solar panel project. Tom started by getting estimates from local solar companies but could get no further. Interest perked up because the church had to replace a section of the flat roof due to leakage, and the roof’s age was also a concern. At the same time, Duke’s Energy Rebate would soon expire, and additional funding from the Inflation Reduction Act would be available. Tom contacted the same companies for new estimates. Sugar Hollow was chosen as the contractor, and the church’s session (governing body of the church) approved the proposal unanimously! 

There are plans to add more solar panels that will be visible from the ground for church members and downtown visitors. Then FPCA will be an unmistakable witness to our Creator.