Case Study: Sugar Creek Lutheran Church

As Sugar Creek Lutheran Church approached its 175th anniversary, church leaders reflected on its long-standing commitment to community service and environmental stewardship. Over several years, the church worked to reduce its electrical consumption, including upgrading to fluorescent lighting and opting for energy-efficient windows. Seeking to build on a legacy of energy consciousness, Solar Project Lead Ervin Schlepp and Pastor Dick Inglett secured funding to continue reducing the church’s carbon emissions and electricity costs. Sugar Creek Lutheran Church’s installation of its solar system and electric heat pump not only turned the vision of a sustainable future into reality but has proven to be financially and environmentally responsible.

Guided by the church’s mission of self-sacrificial love and acceptance of all people, Sugar Creek Lutheran Church has reinvested energy cost savings to support the Elkhorn and Delevan community through food pantry aid, school district engagement, continuing education scholarships, hosting American Red Cross Blood Drives, and supporting adult-day care for individuals experiencing dementia.

Sugar Creek Lutheran Church’s Clean Energy Upgrades

Solar Energy: To expand Sugar Creek Lutheran Church’s role as an environmental leader within the community, the church contracted Adams Powerful Solutions to install a 19.5-kilowatt solar system. The two ground-mount solar arrays utilize the Couillard Solar Foundation’s bifacial solar panels, allowing the system to collect power from the sun on both sides.

Electric Heat Pump: Since the commissioning of Sugar Creek’s solar system, the congregation replaced two propane-fueled sanctuary furnaces and two air conditioning units with high-efficiency electric heat pumps. The solar energy produced from the array provides power to the church’s electric heat pump.

Sugar Creek Lutheran Church’s Solar Funding Sources

Through a combination of grant funding, state programs, and the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) Elective Pay program, Sugar Creek Lutheran Church received a total of $54,142 in funding for its solar project. Many of these funding opportunities are available to other Wisconsin-based houses of worship.

Solar for Good: The Solar for Good program grants solar panels and canopy grants to nonprofit organizations across Wisconsin.

Through the generous funding of the Couillard Solar Foundation, the Solar for Good Program has helped houses of worship across Wisconsin, like Sugar Creek Lutheran Church, harness the power of solar. Half of the panels required for the solar project were donated to the church, valuing $6,500 in funding. To learn more about the Solar for Good program, reach out to solarforgood@renewwisconsin.org.

Solar Moonshot Program: The Solar Moonshot Program helps nonprofits across the United States switch to clean, renewable energy. The Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation’s Solar Moonshot Program offers up to $25,000 in grant funding. Sugar Creek Lutheran Church was awarded the full $25,000.

Elective Pay: Through the passage of IRA, tax-exempt organizations including nonprofits, schools, tribal entities, and local governments are eligible to receive a one-time payment for certain clean energy projects after they are completed. Sugar Creek Lutheran Church anticipates a 30 percent tax credit for installing its solar system, providing $19,695 in funding through elective pay. By using America-made steel & iron, Sugar Creek was eligible for the Domestic Content Bonus credit, valuing an additional $6,565 for the project. To learn more about Elective Pay, reach out to info@renewwisconsin.org.

Focus on Energy: Sugar Creek Lutheran Church received $2,947 through the Focus on Energy incentives for installing solar. Wisconsin Focus on Energy offers financial incentives for various clean energy and building efficiency projects.

Support from the Congregation: Members of the congregation supported the efforts of working towards reducing the church’s use of fossil fuels by providing financial support. Funding from the congregation covered the remaining costs of Sugar Creek’s solar system.

With the combination of local grants and the passage of the IRA, now is the time to install solar. Clean Energy Champion Schlepp welcomes other nonprofits and houses of worship to reach out and receive further guidance: ervinschlepp@gmail.com

Sugar Creek Lutheran Church’s Power Playbook

For houses of worship interested in incorporating clean energy into their operations, review these helpful tips from Sugar Creek Lutheran Church’s Solar Project Lead, Schlepp:

Educate and engage the community: Keep stakeholders informed and involved throughout the process to increase project support.
Account for payment timelines when procuring project funding. For example, elective pay clean energy tax credits are received after project completion, while some grants provide upfront funding.
Identify opportunities during the design phase that maximize clean energy funding, such as using American-made steel and iron to qualify for eligible bonus credits.
Research the county’s permitting process, and factor permit processing into the project timeline to reduce potential delays.
Build relationships with local board members and commissioners who can provide guidance on project development and help smooth the regulatory and compliance process.