The Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane and non-profit SustainableWorks are partnering to install the largest church-based solar project in Washington State. In its first year in operation, the 75 panel solar project will generate an equivalent quantity of electricity to offsetting 38,023 lbs. of CO2, planting 663 trees, or offsetting 888 gallons of gasoline.

In addition to the solar project, SustainableWorks will also increase the energy efficiency of the Church’s facility with upgrades to the HVAC and plumbing systems. These efficiency upgrades will maximize the power created by the solar panels and reduce the Church’s water usage. A public ribbon cutting for the solar project will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane on Friday, November 16th at noon. There will be a Community Open House held at the same location Sunday, November 18th at approximately 12:30pm following Sunday service. The Community Open House will be a great opportunity to learn about how you can bring energy efficiency and solar to your home or institution.

The Unitarian Universalist Church’s decision to engage in a large scale solar project has both practical and ethical motivations. Not only will it drastically lower facility operating costs, Rev. Dr. Todd Eklof says that the project is directly in line with the Church’s beliefs. “The Unitarian Universalist Church has long recognized that we are all part of an interdependent web of existence and that what we do locally often has a global impact. Part of our mission at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane is visible environmental stewardship. What better way to accomplish this than through our solar array?”

The partnership between the SustainableWorks and Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane was an obvious one. When the Church committed to doing a large scale solar project and began exploring financing options, SustainableWorks immediately stepped up. “Non-profit institutions don’t generally have access to financing these types of projects through traditional banking mechanisms. SustainableWorks has a strong commitment to building communities and increasing access to energy efficiency and renewable energy production. We knew this was a project we wanted to be a part of,” says SustainableWorks Managing Director Tara Anderson. SustainableWorks is financing $50,000 of the $100,000+ solar project with a 10-year no interest loan. The remainder of the project is being paid for by contributions from the congregation.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane is also very excited about the opportunity to work with SustainableWorks on the solar project. According to Rev. Dr. Eklof, “Sustainable Works epitomizes what it means to ‘think globally, act locally’. We’re particularly pleased to partner with SustainableWorks on this project because of their commitment to protecting the environment and supporting the local economy by using local contractors.”

SustainableWorks is the non-profit general contractor and financing agent on the project. They are proud to subcontract with local electrical contractor and energy management company PCI Renewables for the design and installation of the solar array system, and with Spokane-based Banner Fuel for the energy efficiency upgrades to the Church’s HVAC system. Spokane County residents interested in accessing incentives to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes or add solar should visit www.sustainableworks.com.

---

---