Epworth United Methodist Church (UMC) in Durham, North Carolina, has long been a congregation committed to living its faith through action. In July 2023, driven by the values of environmental stewardship, economic justice, and fiscal responsibility, the congregation took a bold step to align its operations with its mission: caring for God’s creation, and installed 219 solar panels across six rooftops. 

Photo courtesy of Epworth United Methodist Church.

This system is expected to generate around 75% of their energy needs, making Epworth a model for clean energy in Durham. With the church expected to recoup its out-of-pocket investment in six years thanks to energy bill savings, Epworth is inspiring its congregation and community to consider solar.

For churches interested in solar, Epworth’s message is clear: the time is now.

“Act quickly before the current federal administration can reduce incentives.” – Epworth UMC’s Creation Care Committee

Solar Made Possible by Federal and Utility Support

The $63,000 project was made feasible by leveraging key incentives. Epworth received rebates from Duke Energy as well as a direct federal payment. Tax credits are a new incentive for many congregations, since prior to 2022, tax-exempt organizations like churches and other nonprofits were ineligible for the clean energy tax credits that for-profit businesses could benefit from. That changed in 2022 with the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which established a program allowing tax-exempt organizations to receive a direct payment from the IRS equal to the value of the tax credit. The IRA includes provisions for several clean energy tax credits to be obtained through direct pay. Together, these supports significantly reduced the system’s up-front cost.

The church remains connected to the grid and benefits from net metering, receiving credits for any excess power generated and contributing to the community’s overall energy supply.

Stewardship of Creation Starts at Home

For Epworth UMC, solar isn’t just about saving money—it is a spiritual decision.

The United Methodist Church’s Social Principle states that “All creation is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for how we use and abuse it.” That theological grounding led the congregation to take responsibility for their carbon footprint and model climate action for their community.

In 2022, the church established a Creation Care Committee, a group responsible for ensuring that Epworth was doing its part to protect the Earth. Committee members began with simple steps—starting a composting program and conducting an energy audit—and then set their sights on a bigger goal: solar energy.

Several Creation Care Committee members already had solar on their homes, which gave the church confidence to explore options for their facility. What followed was a collaborative process across multiple church committees—Trustees, Finance, Endowment, and others—with plenty of prayer and discernment along the way.

After receiving quotes from three local solar installers, the committee selected a proposal and brought it to the Trustees Committee, which approved it unanimously. The Finance Committee weighed in on funding options, and the Endowment Committee ultimately voted to support the full cost as a capital improvement to the church.

The result: a solar array designed to generate approximately 126,000 kilowatt hours of clean energy each year.

Nearly two years in, the results are already clear. The system has produced more than 216 megawatt hours of electricity and prevented an estimated 168 tons of CO₂ emissions. Real-time tracking enables the congregation to monitor performance and environmental impact.

The installation also offers a huge financial benefit: the church expects to recoup its out-of-pocket investment within six years thanks to lower electricity bills.

Lifting the Whole Community

Epworth’s solar success hasn’t stayed within its sanctuary walls. Updates from the pulpit, displays in church halls, and information shared through the congregation’s weekly bulletin board, Etchings, keep members informed and inspired. 

Churchgoers have responded enthusiastically, with many now considering solar for their own homes. The congregation is one of many communities across the Southeast benefiting from lower power bills thanks to clean energy. These communities are emblematic of the Clean Energy Generation, a diverse movement of Southeasterners working for a healthier and more sustainable future.

The Creation Care Committee hopes their experience will serve as a blueprint for other churches and community organizations considering renewable energy.

They recommend starting with a simple solar viability check using tools like Google’s Project Sunroof, reaching out to local installers for quotes, and exploring partnerships with energy providers.

A Witness to What’s Possible

Epworth United Methodist Church shows that when a faith community aligns its mission with its operations, the impact can be financially, environmentally, and spiritually powerful. Their solar journey reflects a deep commitment to creation care and offers a shining example to congregations across the Southeast.

As more houses of worship seek to lead by example in the climate movement, Epworth’s story reminds us that clean energy is more than a technical fix—it’s an act of faith.

JOIN THE CLEAN ENERGY GENERATION

Resources

See How Your State and Fellow Southeasterners Are Benefitting From At-Risk Clean Energy Policies

Tell Congress: Protect Clean Energy Programs

The post How a Durham Church Installed Solar Panels and Became a Clean Energy Leader appeared first on SACE | Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

How a Durham Church Installed Solar Panels and Became a Clean Energy Leader