Let there be light: First Unitarian Universalist Church of Berks County ‘Goes Solar’

PennEnvironment hosts State Senator Judy Schwank, Reading Sustainability Manager Bethany Ayers Fisher, and Berks County residents for tour of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Berks County’s solar array

Reading, PA – Local officials and residents joined leaders from the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Berks County and the nonprofit environmental group PennEnvironment for an informative tour of the church’s innovative solar project. The tour was held to educate Reading residents about the benefits of solar energy and how they can go solar if interested.

State Senator Judy Schwank, State Rep. Jacklyn Rusnock, City Councilor Vanessa Campos, Reading Sustainability Manager Bethany Ayers Fisher, and Berks County residents join PennEnvironment for a tour of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Berks County’s solar arrayPhoto by TPIN | TPIN

“There’s never been a better time for houses of worship to use the power of the sun to electrify their congregations,” said Hanna Felber, organizer for PennEnvironment. “Plentiful sunshine and generous solar incentives are here. Now is a critical time for more congregations in Pennsylvania just need to take advantage of them.” 

In 2024, the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Berks County worked with Solar States to install a 19.4 kW rooftop solar array large enough to offset 100 percent of its annual electricity usage. This is not only saving the church money on its utility bills, but the array also eliminates 14 tons of carbon emissions annually. 

The church’s long-term vision for the environment was reiterated by Mike Mannix, UUBerks board president. “With that purpose, this church is moving to reduce its carbon footprint now for the sake of future generations, underlining the broader mission of the congregation to steward the Earth responsibly.”

The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Berks County was able to go solar with the support of federal clean energy incentives that reduced the cost of the installation and will deliver significant savings to the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Berks County on their electricity bill to the tune of $5,500 a year.

“This project is a great example to our other congregations, organizations, businesses, schools, and local governments, to consider going solar,” stated Bethany Ayers Fisher, the City of Reading’s Sustainability Manager. “Solar reduces operating costs, dependence on fossil fuels, and reduces air pollution. These projects protect organizations from energy market volatility and can be easily adapted to the changing needs of the organization. The City of Reading is constructing its first solar installations at City Hall and Public Works this summer, and this time next year, we will be flipping the switch.”

Solar energy is abundant, efficient and increasingly affordable, and houses of worship often are great candidates for rooftop solar panels. While people may frequent these buildings less during the week, their panels will still generate power that churches can sell back to utility companies. And come prayer services and other activities offered by religious institutions, churches and other congregations can also stand to benefit from the clean power and lower utility bills.

Beyond the financial benefits, solar panels increase a community’s energy resilience during extreme weather events. Solar panels and batteries can be independent from the grid, meaning the lights stay on during power outages–a quality especially critical for houses of worship that provide shelter during emergencies. 

State Senator Judy Schwank, State Rep. Jacklyn Rusnock, City Councilor Vanessa Campos, Reading Sustainability Manager Bethany Ayers Fisher, and Berks County residents join PennEnvironment for a tour of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Berks County’s solar arrayPhoto by TPIN | TPIN

Deputy Director Flora Cardoni and UU Berks’ Frank Wilder stand next to the Church’s solar arrayPhoto by TPIN | TPIN

Pennsylvania is in a unique position to lead the way in solar energy,” emphasized Pennsylvania State Senator Judy Schwank. “We have the land, we have the technology, and we have the workforce. What we need is a sustained commitment to policies that make it easier for individuals, municipalities, and businesses to invest in solar. That means incentives, grid monitorization, and support for community solar projects that make solar accessible to people that can’t put solar on their roofs.”

Right now, Pennsylvania is currently ranked 26th in the nation for solar power. Church leaders hope that their array can inspire other houses of worship across Pennsylvania to follow their lead and get their power from above too, so Pennsylvania can turn into a solar leader.

“Some may look at what is happening here as just a small project,” said State Senator Judy Schwank. “It’s a huge step when you think in terms of our community and what we’re able to do. And it models for other institutions, business owners, and homeowners what could happen if we can continue to tell that story.” 

PennEnvironment is holding events like this throughout the state to help spread the word about the benefits of going solar so that more houses of worship, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals can invest in a clean energy future too.