EXETER TOWNSHIP, Pa. - A local church is working to become a leader in clean energy.
Reformation Lutheran Church in Exeter Township recently had solar panels installed as part of an effort to do their part to reduce carbon emissions.
"Climate change is a big problem. The biggest problem of our age," said Pastor Paul Metzloff. "So, we feel called to work to help in some way against that."
Metzloff says he and the congregation have been discussing the possibility of installing solar panels for a few years. Then they were able to get a two-for-one matching grant from the Berks County Community Foundation to move forward.
"When we got all of those funds in hand, we purchased a $75,000 solar array," said Metzloff.
It's been online at the church since September of last year. Metzloff says they're hoping to offset at least half of their energy use depending on the day.
"Since then, it's been producing free energy for us," said Metzloff. "We've generated a little over 9 megawatt hours of electricity valued somewhere in the $1700-1800 dollar range [and] saved almost 7 tons of carbon dioxide emissions."
U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D) joined the solar panel tour at the church Monday to promote other related incentives available through the Inflation Reduction Act.
"A big portion of it allows for exactly what's happening here, both for churches, non-profits as well as residences and businesses to be able to avail themselves of credits and rebates to be able to install things like solar power," said Rep. Houlahan.
"We're really excited to help raise visibility around the Inflation Reduction Act and all the new tax credits and incentives and rebates that are making it easier and more affordable for Pennsylvanians, families, businesses to go to solar or buy an electric vehicle or improve energy efficiency," said Flora Cardoni, field director for Penn Environmental, a statewide citizen-based environmental advocacy non-profit.
"We really hope also to be an example for the community to do this," said Metzloff. "This is a good thing to do in every sense of the word."
