Solar Power + Energy Storage Transform Church Into Resilience Hub

A church in Georgia has become a pioneering example of community resilience by installing a substantial solar power system paired with battery storage. The New Bethel AME Church now operates a 70.11-kW solar array alongside a 41-kWh battery, enabling it to generate and store enough electricity to reduce its annual utility bills by approximately $15,000. This project was made possible without any initial financial burden on the congregation, thanks to support from organisations including Hive Fund, Black Voters Matter, and Georgia BRIGHT. The integration of battery storage with solar power marks a significant step forward for the church, positioning it as the first participant in the Georgia BRIGHT Communities initiative to adopt this combined approach. Alicia Brown, Director of Georgia BRIGHT, highlighted the church’s leadership role in demonstrating how community organisations can both lower costs and enhance energy resilience. By embracing this technology, the church not only benefits its members but also serves as a model for reducing strain on the wider energy system, particularly during power outages. Looking ahead, there are plans to incorporate electric vehicle (EV) chargers into the church’s energy ecosystem. This addition could prove invaluable during blackouts when electric pumps at gas stations typically fail, as the church’s solar and battery setup could supply power for EV charging. Moreover, electric vehicles themselves can act as mobile energy storage units, potentially providing backup power to the church. Such capabilities would enable the church to operate essential appliances like refrigerators and freezers, safeguarding medicines and food supplies during emergencies. Beyond immediate practical advantages, the project offers broader implications for energy independence and environmental responsibility. As utility costs continue to rise, the church’s solar and storage system provides a hedge against increasing expenses while reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-generated electricity, which contributes to pollution and climate change. The initiative also serves an educational purpose, encouraging congregants to explore renewable energy options for their own homes. With the cost of solar panels having plummeted over recent decades, this example underscores the growing accessibility and benefits of clean energy technologies for communities across the UK and beyond.