Welcome to Solar Faithful’s first newsletter of 2026! As we sail into spring and sunnier days, we have a lot to look forward to. Check out the articles below to see what we’ve been up to so far.

Planning for a Post-Grant World

Federal and state grants are likely to be greatly reduced for at least the next three years. As we plan to navigate a “post-grant world,” we are transitioning to a self-funded strategy as an organization.

In response to the limited availability of grants, as well as faith-based organizations’ lack of technical expertise and financing, Solar Faithful is shifting to self-funding solar projects through Energy Shared-Savings Agreements (ESSAs).

An ESSA is a 25-year agreement between a faith-based organization and Solar Faithful. Under the agreement, Solar Faithful owns, installs, operates, maintains, and insures a solar system on the community partner’s facility. The organization shares in the energy savings produced by solar.

This enables organizations to purchase clean, renewable power at a 10% discount from utility costs without fundraising or borrowing. An ESSA allows organizations to experience the benefits of solar—such as bearing witness to the importance of addressing climate change and reducing electricity bills—all without the upfront cost of purchasing the system.

At the end of the 25-year contract, the host organization may:

1. Take title to the solar panels.
2. Continue the ESSA, which includes maintenance and a savings guarantee.
3. Remove the solar panels.

With an ESSA, Solar Faithful takes care of construction, the bridge loan, applications for incentives, and ongoing operations and maintenance.

Advantages for the community partner include no upfront cost, reduced electrical costs through solar, and the opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to Earth Care within the congregation and broader community.

At the end of last year, four congregations signed contracts with Solar Faithful, enabling them to safe-harbor their projects for the 30% Elective Pay rebate. Faith-based organizations that complete their solar projects by December 31, 2027, can still take advantage of these incentives.

Approximately 40 faith-based organizations across Michigan are interested in ESSAs. Any profits or revenues generated through ESSAs will sustainably fund Solar Faithful and minimize our reliance on grant funding.

Our mission is to build a more inclusive movement for climate justice. ESSAs allow us to continue that mission while providing congregations with a no-cost way to benefit from solar.

WATT Matters

Faith-driven stories lighting the way to a cleaner future.

The Ripple Effect of Solar

The positive impact of solar energy spans widely across communities like a ripple effect. Some of these benefits include minimizing the burden of carbon emissions on the air we breathe, as well as significantly decreasing energy costs. Onsite renewables reduce our reliance on fossil fuel energy and support us on our journey to energy independence during emergencies and power outages.

Additionally, there are positive social impacts when an organization goes solar.

Several of our Community Partners (organizations who participate in our programs) have reported that installing solar greatly improved their community’s view of the congregation. Perhaps because of this, some congregations reported increased attendance at their services, with most of their new congregants being younger members. Some of their congregants even adopted solar in their own homes.

A study from Frontiers found that non-residential solar adoption exerts a “continuous, long-term influence on residential adoption decisions” (O’Shaughnessy et al.).

Going solar as a faith-based organization can influence the surrounding community to evaluate how aspects of our daily lives affect the environment, and how to mitigate negative impacts by switching to sustainable alternatives.

According to this article from Marketplace, when Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles installed solar panels, their congregants began switching to other eco-friendly alternatives as well. For example, “the community has gotten rid of styrofoam cups and started composting at the school. That has inspired kids to ask their parents about composting at home.” (Wells)

When community members see solar panels on a community-facing organization, it makes clean energy feel more accessible to the average person. It inspires productive conversation and proactive action.

Solar energy is about more than saving money or reducing greenhouse gas emissions—it brings communities together.

See the video below to hear firsthand from our Community Partners about their experiences.