Hominy Solar Story
Hominy Baptist Church Solar Array
Why was Hominy interested in solar?
Because it is the right thing to do, anything we can do to reduce our environmental footprint is practicing good stewardship of God’s creation. Because church members like the Fergusons gave generously to make it possible, and because we want to make sure that we are being good stewards of our financial resources into the future.
What was the process that moved you from conversation to action?
When the Ferguson family came forward to donate the construction of the new gym, it was their desire that the building would include solar panels to reduce the environmental footprint of the building and the future costs of operation for the church. We met in 2011 with representatives of NC Interfaith Power and Light, Appalachian Institute for Renewable Energy (AIRE), 1st Congregational United Church of Christ of Asheville, and local solar contractors to learn from their experience. Our solar contractor was CM Wilson, working in tandem with MB Haynes and Cresent Construction. Extensive conversations about potential output, construction parameters, and financial and legal structuring of an LLC (limited liability corporation) to maximize tax benefits for donors, took place throughout the construction process over the next 4 years. At each point the Fergusons maintained their commitment to the solar project that ended up costing approximately $500,000.
Did you encounter any significant challenges/problems in completing the project? If so, how did you overcome?
Along the way, weather, building codes, and timing of fabrication and installation were normal construction issues. Maintain close communication with contractors, accountants, investor/donors and empower your oversite team to make decisions quickly. Our biggest disappointment was the downward change in the rate that Duke Energy pays the LLC for energy produced. One interesting problem we had to solve post construction was adding snow guards for heavy snows.
What type of system did you install?
We have two arrays with a total of 560 microinverter panels covering 11,000 square feet of area, rated at 135 KW. Since going online in May 2015 they have produced 1.1 Gigawatt hours GWH of energy, averaging about 20 MWH per month. Photovoltaic Module: Sunmodule Plus SW 275 mono SolarWorld
What has been the benefit (financial, social, etc.) of your congregation going solar?
We currently get a portion of the payment to the LLC from Duke Energy, about $10,000 a year, which is about a third of our electric bill for the three building campus. After a set period of years, we will switch to net metering (which deducts power generated from power used) which will almost cover our electrical needs except during peak winter months. For example, this past July the system produced 21 MWH and our July bill for the campus was for 26 MWH.
Other benefits include: the impact on school children and other neighbors who see the panels and know that Hominy cares about the environment, other churches in our community who are exploring their own solar options, and the constant reminder to our congregation of our responsibility in being good stewards of God’s gifts to us.