GOING SOLAR: La Verne Church of the Brethren Shines in New Way

The sun will be 10 percent brighter in a billion year, so the La Verne Church of the Brethren's timing couldn't be better.

Care for the environment has always been a core value at the La Verne Church of the Brethren. Several years ago, some of its members met to discuss the possibilities of converting the church building from electricity supplied by Edison to solar power. At that time, the costs of conversion seemed unattainable to many, but the vision was sustained. Last year, a subcommittee of the Property Commission was formed to look again at this concept. The committee began interviewing different solar suppliers, accepting proposals, and the system was installed.

The church remains connected to Edison for use during the evening or on very cloudy days; during the daylight hours, the system will generate more electricity than the church can use and that electricity will go back to Edison for their use. Because the Church had sufficient roof space available above its Fellowship Hall and classrooms, it was able to install enough panels to supply 100 percent of its projected annual needs.

The full system was financed by a loan from the Pacific Southwest District of the Church of the Brethren and will be repaid in 12 years; the solar panel system is guaranteed for 25 years. From the beginning, the Church will be able to pay for the system with savings in electricity.

Importantly, the solar system at La Verne Church of the Brethren has the impact of taking a dozen cars permanently off of the road.