As a church committed to preserving God's creation for future generations, we invited everyone to share in a special day at Bethlehem UCC.  On Sunday, April 23, we held a worship service followed by the dedication of our 54 kW (kilowatt) solar array. 

After months of prayer, research, and planning, 160 solar panels were installed on our beautiful campus in December 2016.  Bethlehem is the first house of worship to have an array in Southwestern Indiana: the array is currently the second largest church array in the State of Indiana.  Our church teamed up with U.S.-based manufacturer Sunpower Corporation and local solar company Morton Solar to implement our solar project. 

Below is news coverage from our Solar Dedication Sunday. 

Watch our solar energy accumulate!  Here is a link to our array’s production:

https://www.solarweb.com/Home/GuestLogOn?pvSystemid=eb2dfbdf-9259-404e-ae2e-f26bd8f07c9c

Additional Solar Background

Solar energy is a resource that is not only sustainable for energy consumption, it is indefinitely renewable. The electricity that solar panels produce is completely emissions free. When we use renewable solar energy, we reduce peak load demand from the electrical grid. In addition, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint.

What does all that mean?

A solar array produces “clean energy” – energy that does not release any air, water, or noise pollution, and does not emit any greenhouse gases. It also reduces our collective dependence on fossil fuel. This effort helps reduce the effects of global warming and climate change. It also helps to improve our current air quality here in Evansville.

The array will produce clean energy for the church, and any excess energy will be shared with neighbors in our community.