Actions taken by Congregations

Churches that have DIVESTED from fossil fuels

Churches that have installed SOLAR PANELS

Churches that have taken OTHER INITIATIVES

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Learn more about Green Church Certification and the work done by churches that have been certified

 

Churches that have divested from fossil fuels
 

 

Churches that have installed solar panels
 

  • South Congregational Church Amherst, UCC
    South Church in Amherst has had all of its electricity provided through solar panels since 2013.
    News article: Putting faith in renewable energy Amherst church upgrades to solar electricity, Gazettenet.com, June 4, 2013
     
  • West Parish Church in Andover

    West Parish Church’s decision to install power generating solar panels is consistent with their goal to be a beacon of sustainability and live in harmony with the environment.  In 2015, the church entered into a Power Purchase Agreement with Bright View Energy LLC that included design and installation of solar panels by Sunbug Solar and the purchase from Bright View of the solar generated power over a 15 year term, with an option to purchase the system beginning in year 7.

    SunBug Solar designed and installed a photovoltaic system located on the Parish Hall Roof.  The 21.84 kW solar array generates 26,300 kWh annually, nearly 56% of the West Parish Church Andover’s annual consumption. Power production over 30 years is estimated at 763,000 kWh.  Web monitoring provides continuous monitoring of the system with 24-hour service response to any performance issues. The church has access to the website and is able to use it for community outreach and educational purposes.  SunBug has worked with over 600 homeowners, houses of worship, schools and local businesses in Massachusetts and has a great deal of experience in Houses of Worship going solar. Its on-going Solar Power for Faith Communities program is done in partnership with Massachusetts Interfaith Power and Light, the state’s leading organization supporting energy efficiency for faith based organizations.  Bright View Energy LLC is a family owned clean energy provider, enabling churches, other non-profit organizations and small scale commercial operations to reduce their carbon footprint and their energy costs.  

  • West Concord Union Church, Concord

    West Concord Union Church

    An environmental audit was done on their meeting house and they implemented many of the recommendations.  They undertook a major renovation in 2017 which included window replacements, a new energy-efficient entryway, and solar panels.

  •  South Church in Andover, UCC
    South Church has had solar panels on the sanctuary roof since fall of 2012 producing approximately 65,000 kilowatt hours per year of electricity. More: South Church in Andover Green Team webpage

    South Church Andover

  • United Church of Assonet
    Photovoltaic solar panels were installed in the fall of 2012 on the Sanctuary roof, producing around 20,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year.  Their future goal, when funding permits, is to install panels on the other third of their roof, then install heat pumps to heat their Fellowship Hall.  Presently, all credits of unused electricity are transferred to the pastor.
     
  • Central Square Congregational Church, UCC, Bridgewater
    Solar panels have been installed on the parsonage roof, and it generates enough power to cover the electrical demand of the parsonage.  They would love to install solar panels on the church roof, but it is in a downtown historic district.
     
  • First Congregational Church, Brimfield
    Solar panels were added to the church at the end of 2016. After all testing and inspections were completed in January 2017, they went live. Simultaneously, they have begun changing out some of our windows and other energy saving projects which hopefully will both reduce the energy footprint and also long term costs.
  •    First Congregational Church, Brimfield with Solar Panels
  • Edwards Church UCC, Framingham
    This small church installed panels through a lease-to-own program of Interfaith Power & Light.
    New article: Small Massachusetts UCC achieves large goal of solar panel installation, ucc.org, Jan. 16, 2013
     
  • Pilgrim Congregational Church, Harwichport
    In 2015 Pilgrim Church installed 142 solar panels, which should produce 110% of the church's electricity needs. The church intends to donate the excess energy credits to local charitable organizations. 
    More: Announcement (PDF)
     
  • First Congregational Church in Melrose, UCC
    In 2015,installed 360 solar panels atop its roof.
    Spotlight: Melrose Church Goes Solar, macucc.org, Sept. 14, 2015
     
  • Eliot Church of Newton
    On October 18, 2015 the Eliot Church of Newton voted unanimously to install solar panels on its roof.  The goal is to complete the installation by April 2016.
    More about their commitment to address climate change: http://www.eliotchurch.org/eliot--climate-change.html
     
  • First Congregational Church, Stoneham
    This congregation voted in December 2014 to use their large south roof to generate 100 percent of its electricity for the church and school.  After a series of open meetings, they decided to have 108 voltaic panels installed.  The Rev. Meredith Allen, First Church pastor, said: “When we make baptismal promises on behalf of our children, we pledge to provide a community for them where they can grow up loved and healthy. We keep the integrity of those promises as we take steps to reduce carbon emissions that damage our Earth.”
    News article:  http://stoneham.wickedlocal.com/article/20151214/NEWS/151218213
     
  • Townsend Congregational Church, UCC

    Solar panels being installed on 11/17/2017


    In August of 2013 the Townsend Congregational Church installed solar panels on the roof of their Fellowship Hall.  They worked with SunBug Solar on this project and were extremely happy with the experience.

    More:  http://www.nashobavalleyvoice.com/ci_23875447/townsend-congregational-church-invites-fellow-residents-join-solar

  • Mass Conference UCC in Framingham
    Solar panels on one side of the barn offices started to go up the week of November 13, 2017.

 

 

Other Innovative Initiatives
 

  • West Parish Church, Andover - PERMACULTURE GARDEN

    The church announced in fall, 2015, plans to become one of the first churches in the nation to create a permaculture garden.  “The West Parish Church permaculture garden will demonstrate our potential as a faith community to positively impact our world and the environment,” said the Rev. Mark Seifried, interim senior minister. “The garden will be a shining example of community and sustainability in the town of Andover, in the United Church of Christ and beyond.”  The project will be under the guidance of Ryan Harb, a food system specialist, permaculture designer and 2008 Andover High School graduate.  The article below describes more details about permaculture gardens.
    New article: West Parish Church to build permaculture garden, Eagle-Tribune, Oct. 20, 2015

 

For questions please contact Karen Methot at methotk@macucc.org.