Other Questions

Our organization is considering solar, but we’re curious: should we first try to improve energy efficiency and/or electrification?

There are easily-implemented energy efficiency upgrades that your organization can take advantage of to reduce your utility bills and energy usage. Check out Energy Efficiency Resources – Michigan Interfaith Power & Light (miipl.org).

Energy efficiency measures decrease energy usage and will help to decrease the size of the solar system. After attainable energy efficiency measures are addressed, like LED lighting, then we recommend addressing remaining long-term energy efficiency measures, electrification and solar.

Organizations can install solar at any point. Solar systems are typically sized for 75% of usage to minimize outflow (because the utilities pay less for excess energy than the full price of power). It might be helpful to start with the energy freedom that solar enables and take a practical, visible action to demonstrate your organization’s commitment to Creation care.

Can I contact other organizations who have committed to this investment about their decision? Do you have other references that have started this project that I could contact for further questions and referral information?

You’ll find a plethora of information and multiple completed projects here!

Will I be able to monitor the amount of solar electricity generated with an app?

Yes. The organization can access both the monitoring/operations to the solar system and kiosk-ready web pages, which allows the organization to add the system performance to public displays or organization websites.

How much of my organization’s annual electricity needs will be covered by solar?

The best economics are realized when you use the solar power onsite. When you produce more energy than you use, excess energy is sold to the utility at a lower rate which reduces the total savings. (You can do 100%, but the organization would need to have a lower savings level) Typically, 70-80% of consumption is covered based on the sizing of the system and other factors.

Is a data connection required for the solar installation?

Ideally, yes, but it’s not required. It is preferred as most organizations have internet access and this allows the system to be monitored without cell conductivity and related expenses. If the organization does not have internet access, cell data connection can be added to the inverter.

What is the total allowable energy offset in Michigan?

Allowable offset is 110% for the DG program. The reason we design for +/- 70% is that the outflow credit (for when generation exceeds the building usage) is basically half of the savings from the power consumed on site. This means that a solar customer that goes over their usage is effectively funding the utility.

What happens when an organization exceeds the offset (i.e. they go solar and then do energy efficiency upgrades which takes them over the threshold)?

If the church builds for 100% of usage and then decreases usage and they go over 110%, then the utility will switch them from “DG tariff” to “self generation tariff”. The outflow credit (paid for excess energy generated mostly during the day in summer) and the credit would go from about $0.08/kWh to $0.04/kWh.

Where is solar faithful’s hardware manufactured?

Panels: We are aware of the human rights issues associated with materials sourced from China, which is the reason all of our panels are made and assembled in the U.S. to the extent possible. This includes all of the aluminum, steel, copper, glass, and plastic. The cells are currently sourced from Taiwan, and half of the cells in U.S. panels are manufactured in the U.S. We hope that the panels will be made with 100% U.S. sourced materials going forward. Mission Solar is the manufacturer of our solar panels.  

Racking: We use 100% U.S manufactured racking.

Inverters: We have always worked to purchase as much U.S. content as possible. The inverter manufacturers have been shifting their manufacturing to the U.S. over the past few years, and component manufacturing is shifting to the U.S, therefore U.S. inverter content is rising.

Contracting: We exclusively work with contractors on the Michigan Saves qualified contractor list. We aim to purchase and hire locally as much as possible. An aspect of this program includes job training for congregants and other members of the community. A goal is to provide quality training for well-paying clean energy and construction jobs in a growing industry. We believe that a transition to clean renewable energy can provide an entrance ramp for those who have traditionally been left out of the energy and construction industries. On average, women and people of color represent a lower percentage of the energy sector’s workforce compared with the overall economy of the U.S.