Generosity to the Earth – Harnessing the Light
In the past two years our Administrative Committee has reached their goal of harnessing clean, lower coat energy for our church by installing solar panels. In February this solar project was presented to the church membership at the Annual Meeting and was voted on to adopt this project. In April we signed a contract with Newport Electric Construction for $55,460 to install solar panels on the parish hall roof in July. The cost of the panels and electrical system is generously paid for by the congregation, along with a 40% government rebate and overall savings on our electricity bill. In addition, the 35 panels installed will create more than 18,134 kilowatts hours per year
There are some important and meaningful benefits to the Church with this commitment to solar energy.
First is Savings on Current Energy Bills. In the first 7 months of 2026 our average electric bill without solar was $535 per month. In the first 3 months of having solar panels our bill was cut to zero, and we earned an additional average monthly credit of $130 from Eversource to use for “cloudy” days.
The second is Decreasing Future Operating Costs. Installing solar will cut FCC’s annual operating costs by reducing energy bills by approximately $5,500 per year after that cost is used to pay back the investment of the panels.
And third, the Environmental Benefit. Our church is in covenant with the UCC and other churches to be good environmental stewards of the world God created for its people. This project fulfills that covenant in harnessing solar power to reduce our carbon footprint.
Solar Power vs. Fossil Fuels: The Carbon Comparison
• Coal-fired electricity emits about 820 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour.
• Natural gas power plants emit about 490 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour.
• Solar energy emits just 20–40 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour, mostly from manufacturing and transportation of solar panels.
By transitioning to solar energy, we share our generosity and There Our Hearts Will Be.
