A 6-kilowatt solar system was recently installed at Peace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley to generate electric power from the church roof. The unit features 28 American-made Evergreen Solar 210W panels. Utilizing the design and cost-payback analysis of Plan It Solar, the church expects to generate 7,500 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, lowering their PG&E bills by 16 percent and eliminating 35 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) during the first 15 years of operation.

The congregation's quest for solar power began in 2006 and finally culminated in a completed installation this year. “When we decided to build our new Fellowship Center, a solar installation was part of the planning from the beginning,” said Pastor Richard Johnson. “We understand that we are stewards of God's creation, and we were anxious to make good use of the wonderful solar energy that is available to us here in the foothills.”

Peace Lutheran was able to take advantage of a higher-than-normal solar rebate offered to nonprofit solar installations through the state-mandated California Solar Initiative, translating into more than $12,500 in savings off the cost of the system. Currently, nonprofit solar installations receive a rebate from PG&E that is almost 70 percent larger than solar rebates for homes and businesses, which both receive extra federal tax benefits for solar projects that are unavailable to nonprofits.

Plan It Solar Inc. offers financial cost-payback analysis for solar, plus sales and installation services for on and off-grid commercial and residential solar systems. Find them at 17487 Penn Valley Dr., Building A, Penn Valley, call (530) 432-3776 or visit their Web site at www.planitsolar.com.