Program Goal

Solar Faithful aims to increase solar access among faith-based organizations. One of our key objectives is to build a more inclusive movement for climate justice. We prioritize working with organizations in communities that are historically disadvantaged, which helps to diminish energy inequity. 

Organization Structure

The Solar Faithful project team, which includes the Climate Witness Project, World Renew, Michigan Interfaith Power & Light, Chart House Energy

Eligibility

• Houses of Worship
• Congregations
• Religious schools
• Faith-based nonprofits
• Buildings of regional bodies and interfaith organizations

Financing Options:

1. Direct Purchase

Your organization purchases the system with any combination of donations, budget, and borrowing. We can connect your organization with lenders. Once the array is installed, your electric bills will decrease. The savings you accumulate over time will essentially pay for the cost of the system. After the system is paid off, 100% of the system savings are realized. This option offers the best total savings and allows you to own the system immediately but involves risk and operational responsibility.

2. Prepaid Solar Project: 5-Year Path to Ownership

This financing option is a lease-to-purchase agreement that offers your organization a 20% discount on project costs. If your project qualifies for the Domestic Content federal incentives, you can receive a 30% discount. Your organization will put down 70% or 80% of the project cost, and Solar Faithful will own, operate, and maintain the system for the first 5 years. After the first 5 years, you will own the array. Additionally, Solar Faithful will apply for the federal incentives for you.

Energy Shared-Savings Agreement

An ESSA is a 25-year agreement between Solar Faithful and an organization where Solar Faithful owns, operates, maintains, and insures a solar system on the community partner’s facility. The organization shares the energy savings produced by solar. This enables organizations to purchase clean, renewable power at a 10% discount. It requires no fundraising or borrowing. This allows the organization to experience the benefits of solar, like reduced electricity bills, without the upfront cost of buying the system.