Faith meets Sustainability: How GreenBrilliance Helped a Local Church ‘Go Solar’
By spending less on our electric bills, we’ll have more for our outreach and missions. From a faith perspective, solar panels are a way to love God and love our neighbors.
Challenge
For Pastor Julia Brown and her congregation at Solomon’s United Church of Christ in Chambersburg, PA, environmental responsibility is not just a principle—it’s a core mission.
With rising utility costs and growing concerns about climate change, the church sought a solution that aligned with both their faith and finances. They aimed to reduce their carbon footprint and free up financial resources for key church initiatives like their backpack meal program, blessing box pantry, and community garden.
The challenge was finding a simple, cost-effective way to achieve these goals.
Solution
In November 2024, the church partnered with GreenBrilliance to bring their vision to life with the support of federal clean energy initiatives, significantly reducing the installation cost. A custom-designed 12.6 kW rooftop solar array was installed to offset 100% of their annual electricity usage.
GreenBrilliance worked closely with the church to ensure a smooth installation process. The project was not only a step toward sustainability but also a powerful symbol of the church’s values in action. In a short time, the church was fully powered by the sun, with solar panels now working daily to support both spiritual and environmental goals.
Result
Since the installation, the church has significantly reduced its utility costs—cutting electricity bills in half—and eliminated approximately 5,600 pounds of carbon emissions. The savings are already being reinvested into community outreach programs, enhancing the church’s ability to serve others.
As part of a public solar tour with PennEnvironment, Solomon’s UCC opened its doors to educate the wider Chambersburg community about solar energy. They hope to inspire other houses of worship across Pennsylvania to follow their example and invest in a more sustainable future.
