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.

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

The River’s new building is supported by a true public-private partnership, with significant financial support provided by many facets of the community.

Private Foundation Funding: The River has garnered support from a range of philanthropic partners, including many family, business, and community foundations. Support from these organizations has provided over $2 million for the construction of the new pantry. Combined with other donations from individuals and businesses, the private sector contributed nearly $7,000,000 towards the project.

Government Funding: By working with elected officials and state representatives, The River secured congressionally allocated funds to support the construction of its new facility. In 2021, they were invited to apply for congressionally directed spending and received notice of a $3 million award in the Spring of 2024. The River’s project also benefited from an early investment of $1.5 million by Dane County, and the purchase of the property for the new facility was partially supported by $400,000 from the City of Madison’s Community Facilities Loan program.

Private Loan: In addition to sourcing financial resources through fundraising and grants, The River secured a construction loan. Even with generous community support, establishing a reliable line of credit for construction expenses is important, as the full amount of many grants and pledged donations may be paid out over multiple years. The team has also considered leveraging Slipstream’s Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Financing to cover any remaining costs needed for the project’s sustainability components.

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.

   

Read more about Sugar Creek Lutheran Church’s solar journey here.