MEMBERSHIP VOTE ON SOLAR PROJECT
A vote will be held for members of Calvary on December 14 for the following motion: "The Elders recommend investing approximately $1,100,000 in a solar rooftop system on the Worship Center before December 31, 2025, which will be funded through the proceeds of an estate gift, but will be offset by rebates of 50%. Over the next 30 years, this solar system is projected to save the church $6.3 million in electricity costs." Learn more about this project in the FAQ below or contact Calvary's Executive Pastor, Michael Welles, at 714.550.2313 or .
SOLAR PROJECT FAQ
1. Why are you looking at Solar Now?
One of the main reasons we have not been able to look at installing solar before is we have had a leaking roof on the Worship Center for years and that has to be addressed before any panels can be installed on top of it. Through your giving to Forward in Faith, we have been able to repair the Worship Center roof (the final part is currently in process) and now we can look at solar options. There are now multiple incentives that non-profits can take advantage of to receive rebates of around 50% of the cost of the project. Up until a few years ago the incentives were tax rebates and did not help non-profits. Currently the incentives require you to sign a contract with a solar provider before the end of the year and start construction before July 4, 2026.
2. What are the benefits of Solar for Calvary?
Our electricity costs have been steadily rising over the past few years, even in spite of many of the upgrades we have done to improve efficiency (added LED lighting in many places, put in newer more efficient HVAC units, improved building management systems). Our annual electricity costs have recently averaged between $230k and $290k, and with solar we hope to save more than $100k per year. Over the life of the system, this could offset over $6 million of electricity costs (estimating they increase conservatively 5% a year). Another benefit is that by producing some of our own electricity, we can free up some space on the grid for others in our community.
3. Why are we voting on this?
Calvary’s bylaws (section 3.7.5) require that members approve all Elder recommendations of construction projects and/or real estate improvement projects, the cost of which exceeds ten percent of the average of three prior fiscal years actual contributions. Currently that means projects over about $400,000 meet this threshold, which this project does.
4. How did you settle on the current proposal?
We got five different bids for different types of systems based on an analysis of our electric uses and projected needs. The companies we talked to have good references and reputations in the community and our Trustees (View Team Here) are satisfied with the proposals and the one we selected.
5. What is the timeline?
We plan to sign a contract by the end of 2025 and start the engineering process. In early 2026, it will go to the city for a permit and then construction can start after that with the goal of being installed by summer.
6. How is it being paid for?
You can lease a solar system but you save much more in the long run if you purchase it, especially with the incentives that are still available. We have received part of an estate gift and the rest is in the process of being settled soon. The Trustees have decided that this project is a good use of these proceeds and it will be able to cover the entire cost of the project which comes out to around $1.1 million, but we should qualify for rebates which will bring the cost down to around $500,000.
7. Is this part of the Forward in Faith Campaign?
No, this is a separate project that is not using any of the Forward in Faith funds. It is being paid for from an estate gift. The first phase of Forward in Faith recently covered the HVAC system and some roof repairs on the Worship Center. See more about the next phase of Forward in Faith at CalvaryLife.org/Forward
