A resource for faith-based organizations as they transition to sustainable energy and zero GHG emissions

Case Studies – Colorado

There is a growing number of faith-based organizations that have started on the path to zero GHG emissions. Their experiences are captured as “Case Studies” listed below:

Christ the Servant Lutheran Christ the Servant Lutheran (CTSL) installed a solar PV system using a creative member funded financing model…READ MORE
Community United Church of Christ Installed ground-mounted solar PV as well as rooftop solar….READ MORE
First Unitarian Society Denver First Unitarian overcame “Historical Preservation” challenges by investing in Community Solar… READ MORE.

First Universalist Church Denver



















First Universalist replaced their 10 natural gas furnaces with 10 ground-source geothermal heat pump furnaces and added a 57 kW solar PV system to their roof.

Their goal was to harvest solar and geothermal energy already onsite for all their energy needs… Their goal was to stop dumping 0ver 100 metric tonnes of GHG into the atmosphere annually.

For Case Study details see:
“GreenNotes” Version (71 pg, 6×9, pdf) [14.9 MB]
Abridged Version (269 pg, 6×9, pdf) [13.5 MB]
Unabridged Version (283 pg, 8.5×11, pdf) [48.0 MB]
Printed copies are available from Amazon.com
Case Study Followup – Two-Year Progress Report
Jefferson Unitarian Church Jefferson Unitarian installed both solar PV and ground-source heating & cooling equipment on some of their facility….READ MORE.
Kirk of Bonnnie Brae United Church of Christ Installed rooftop Solar PV…READ MORE
Mountain View United Methodist Mt. View was an early adapter of Solar PV and installed a 60 kW system… READ MORE
Our Savior’s Lutheran
Installed rooftop Solar PV…READ MORE
St. John’s Episcopal Boulder St. John’s installed a 25 kW solar PV system using an adaptation of the Christ the Servant Lutheran member LLC funding approach. ..READ MORE
SHARING THE WORK
We at St John’s encourage other churches and nonprofits to follow in our footsteps and copy our documents as desired for your organization’s use. DISCLAIMER – the documents are for use as examples and templates, and your organization is entirely responsible for seeking professional advice on all facets of your project. St John’s accepts no responsibility for others’ projects or use of these documents
A SNAPSHOT OF OUR SEQUENCE
The list below details how we went about executing our project, and includes links to documents, photos, and presentations we used to develop, communicate, and approve our project. You are welcome to copy our documents as desired for your organization’s use.  
Apr 2015: Sought blessing from our clergy, then formed the Solar Study Group to investigate the technical, financial, aesthetic, and spiritual factors of installing Solar PV Panels. Our clergy also supplied names of key people to invite onto the committee. 
Jun 2015: Formed our project goals:
That our church should be a visible, vocal and faith-filled steward of the Earth
That any renewable energy projects provide financial savings to the church
That the beauty of our historic campus be preserved
View the project goals document here and the spreadsheet here (in MS Excel format)
Jul 2015: Got information and budgetary bids from solar installation professionals. View the proposals here
Aug 2015: Informed the Vestry (board of lay leaders) and got initial approval. View the vestry presentation here (in MS Powerpoint format) and the quick “elevator” pitch here (in MS Word format).
Aug 2015: Went to City of Boulder Landmarks Board to seek approval to install on the non-historic portions of our building. View the Photoshop’d images here.
Sep 2015: Investigated renewable energy grant programs, and applied for 2 grants available to us. View the PACE meeting notes here.
Oct 2015: Applied to Xcel Energy (our utility company) to reserve financial benefits (RECs – Renewable Energy Credits); this put us “in line” with Xcel to be considered for these credits.
Oct 2015: Communicated about our project to the parish, to seek support and investors. See the Rector’s note to the parish here, and the information packet given to the parish here (in MS Word format).
Nov 2015: Got formal approval from the Colorado diocese. See the Executive Summary given to the Standing Committee here.
Nov 2015: Recruited the investors, formed the LLC (by filing an online web form and paying $50) and created a bank account. Investors then paid their contributions, $9500 each for 11 investors. View the LLC Participation document here, the LLC Operating Document with St. Johns here, and the Cash Flow Projection spreadsheet here.
Dec 2015: LLC signed the contract with the solar installer and paid deposits
Dec 2015: Signed the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between the LLC and the Church. See the Purchase Agreement here.
Jan 2016: Final design submitted, construction permit granted
Feb 2016: Our solar installer started construction Feb 3, 2016 and finished ten days later. It takes an additional 2-3 months for Xcel Energy to connect the panels to the grid.

Consolidated List of Documents
1. Emails initiating the team
2. Solar Goals Development Process/Spreadsheet
3. Solar Installer Proposals (pricing removed)
4. Presentation to Vestry seeking approval.
4.1 Elevator Pitch
5. Documents for Boulder Landmarks Board
6. PACE Meeting Notes
7. no document
8. Pastor Susan’s “Rector’s Pen”
8.1 Solar Project Packet for Parishioners
9. Executive Summary for Standing Committee
10. Solar LLC Participation Information
10.1 Operating Agreement for St Johns Church Solar LLC
10.2 SJ Solar Cash Flow Projection
11. no document
12. Power Purchase Agreement (between LLC and St John’s)

Case Studies – Other Faith-Based Organizations