IT’S COMING! The construction of the solar array is right around the corner. After a hiccup by Delmarva Power that delayed the start of the project, we are now cleared to begin construction. The church has been given a start date of July 1st. Once construction begins, it’s only about two weeks until completion, and we start generating power and saving money on the church’s electric bill.
Now that all permits are approved and the start of building is almost upon us, the team once again wishes to share some financial information with you. The total cost of the project is $278,300. This is being paid out of the church’s cash reserves. We will be receiving $118,490 in credits bringing the price the church pays down to $159,810. It is estimated that over the next 30 years the church will save $481,950 on our electric bill because of the solar array.
As to that $159,810 the church is losing from our cash reserves, the Solar Power Task Force is asking for your (the congregation’s) help in replacing those funds. As such, we are embarking on a fundraising drive to replenish our cash reserves. The FUNdraising team has already contributed $20,000 to the effort and Special Gifts is planning on contributing another $20,000. Now we are turning to you, requesting donations to cover the cost of the solar array. Ways to contribute include:
- Using your giving envelope indicating on the envelope on the “Other” line “Solar Panels” or “Solar Array’.
- Placing a check in the offering with “Solar Array” or Solar Panels” written on the “Memo” line.
- Use one of the special envelopes that you will find by the “Solar Array” display in the narthex.
Speaking of the display, consider checking it out. Once again it can be found in the narthex. The display shows where the field will be located in regards to the church, what the field will look like, and will be used to show how much money has been raised to replace our cash reserves.
Our goal is $168,000, which is $1,000 for each of the panels. That will cover the church’s cost for the panels, two security cameras, and landscaping for underneath the panels. As each $1,000 comes in, we will change a panel on our display from white to orange. That way everyone can keep track of how the church is doing with the replenishment of the church’s cash reserves.
In advance the team thanks you for your support of this project which will benefit us financially in the long term while helping us take a step to better care for this world that the Lord has given us. Thank you again for your consideration of this project.