Churches Launch Solar Revolution
A regional division of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church is collaborating with various organizations to install solar power microgrids at church properties to support local communities in need of energy. The AME Church Sixth District, based in Atlanta, Georgia, recently shared plans to partner with nonprofit groups to install solar panels at several church-owned locations by 2026.
Jay Horton from Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL), one of the organizations involved in this initiative, explained that the partnership stemmed from conversations that began during the AME pastors’ participation in the Green Team Summits in 2023 and 2024. He noted that the pastors were motivated by the idea of transforming their congregations into community resilience hubs, leading them to approach GIPL about exploring clean energy options. Horton emphasized that GIPL is committed to supporting faith-based efforts for climate leadership and sustainability, aligning with the organization’s mission to help congregations lead on environmental justice.
In May of the previous year, GIPL and the AME Sixth District carried out a comprehensive feasibility study across eight churches in Georgia. This study identified inefficiencies, provided recommendations for energy-saving upgrades, and assessed the potential for solar installations. The findings laid the groundwork for the installation of solar microgrids. GIPL is now connecting these churches with experienced solar installers and will continue to provide support through financing options and grant assistance as the project moves forward.
GIPL has a long history of partnering with Georgia churches on energy sustainability. An example of their successful efforts is seen in the North Decatur United Methodist Church, which installed a 56-kilowatt solar system last year. The system is expected to reduce the church’s annual energy consumption by 77% and decrease its carbon footprint by over 1,200 tons over the next 20 years.
The federally-funded Georgia BRIGHT initiative, which stands for Building, Renewables, Investing in Green, Healthy, Thriving Communities, is also contributing to the project. Alicia Brown, the director of Georgia BRIGHT, highlighted that the collaboration with the AME Sixth District is a significant step in their “Solar for All” initiative, which aims to expand solar energy access in communities that might otherwise be unable to afford it. Through this partnership, Georgia BRIGHT provides financing for solar systems and helps churches with necessary upgrades to prepare for solar installations. Brown also mentioned that several churches, including Trinity Episcopal Church of Statesboro, are already benefiting from solar energy, with Trinity Episcopal expected to save approximately $62,000 in energy costs over the next 25 years.