Solar Power for Faith Communities? Yes, it’s happening!

OCEANSIDE, CA – On March 21, 2024, Oceanside faith communities have the opportunity to learn how solar panels can generate the bulk of their electricity needs. Solar power is already saving 7 Oceanside houses of worship significant money. It’s time more churches, synagogues, mosques and temples take the opportunity to receive the gift of free energy from the sun available to all of us in God’s creation through the ingenuity of solar panels.  

The Interfaith Solar Campaign is conducting a “solarize effort” in Oceanside to help houses of worship navigate the process of switching to clean, renewable energy generated on their roofs. Solarize campaigns engage clusters of organizations like faith communities who band together to get solar, thus saving time and money. 

An Oceanside funder is providing a grant incentive to qualifying houses of worship to go solar.  With this incentive, communities of faith will have no upfront cost and will begin saving money on day one. The grant, combined with federal renewable energy incentives, makes solar more affordable than ever.  Though it sounds too good to be true, this Campaign exists to help faith communities make a difference, and now we encourage faithful folks to come and learn for themselves.

Lee Barken of (San Diego-based)  CollectiveSun Foundation, the Campaign’s partner in this effort, says  “churches going solar not only help in the fight against climate change but also make their budgets more sustainable.”  So whether their motivation is reducing global warming or saving money for community missions, solar installations can help hard-pressed communities of faith absorb ever-increasing utility costs and still fulfill their dreams for ministry in Oceanside and beyond. 

With 7 Oceanside churches already using solar power to generate their electricity, now is the time for remaining faith communities to join in the savings. Interfaith Solar Campaign co-lead and retired Methodist minister Rev. John Pitney said, “As moral leaders in our communities, houses of worship have a tremendous opportunity to help move others in their congregations to understand the common threats and opportunities we all face, and motivate their neighbors to take action as well. This is a gamechanger!”

Churches, synagogues, mosques and temples of all faiths are invited to contact Interfaith Solar Campaign Director Lou Stagnitto at info@interfaithsolar.org to get an invitation to the informational session scheduled for March 21, 2024 at 11:00 AM. 

Help us spread the word that solar-powered faith communities are the future, and all houses of worship can now access this powerful resource.