SOLAR PANELS FOR
Houses of Worship
Solar energy provides a meaningful way for churches, temples, mosques, and other houses of worship to reduce operational costs, demonstrate environmental responsibility, and reinvest savings into ministry and community outreach. With incentives making solar more accessible than ever for religious organizations, there’s never been a better time to harness the power of solar energy for your faith community.
At StraightUp Solar, we’ve partnered with religious organizations throughout Illinois and Missouri to deliver custom solar solutions that balance fiscal and environmental responsibility. Our experienced team understands the unique needs of houses of worship and works closely with leadership teams to design systems that fit your building, budget, and mission. Our systems are backed by labor, performance, and product warranties, and our local, in-house service team provides long-term security for your solar PV system.
Ready to explore what solar could mean for your congregation? Let’s start the conversation! Get your free assessment today.
BENEFITS OF
Solar Panels for Houses of Worship
Free Up Ministry Funds
Every dollar saved on energy costs is a dollar that can go toward ministry, outreach, and serving your community. Solar helps houses of worship significantly reduce monthly utility bills and protect against unpredictable energy rate increases. Our commercial solar installers design every system around your building’s specific energy profile, ensuring you get maximum savings for your investment.
A Lasting Investment in Your Mission
A commercial solar installation delivers decades of financial return for your congregation. With systems built to last 25+ years and comprehensive warranties, solar helps religious organizations reduce long-term operating expenses while demonstrating good stewardship of resources. Plus, going solar enhances your congregation’s leadership in environmental protection.Care for Our Earth, Lead by Example
Houses of worship have a unique opportunity to model environmental responsibility and environmental stewardship. Choosing clean energy demonstrates your commitment to protecting the environment for future generations while inspiring congregation members and the broader community to consider ways they can positively contribute to the health of our environment.Solar Success Stories
Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship, Carbondale IL
Gets Energy from a Higher Power
A core value of Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship is deep care and respect for the earth, making solar energy a natural extension of their mission and values. Choosing solar shows their commitment to environmental stewardship and leadership in their community.
Their 14.72 kW installation produces an estimated 18,200 kWh per year, covering approximately 78% of the Fellowship’s energy needs. With an estimated 25-year savings of $56,000 and a 4.3 year payback, this solar investment allows them to practice what they preach while freeing up resources for their broader mission.
*All scenarios are unique, your experience may differ.
Faith Lutheran Church, O’Fallon, IL
Homeowner Shares The Good News of Solar
Mark Sauer installed a 16.8 kW rooftop system with StraightUp Solar. Following this positive experience, he recommended our team to Faith Lutheran when the church sought to lower operating costs during a renovation. Our strong nonprofit solar portfolio gave them confidence to move forward.
The resulting 95 kW array is a financial win for the congregation, with an estimated $11,000 year 1 savings and $471,000 over the system’s lifetime. With Direct Pay of the federal tax credit, they significantly offset the initial investment with a projected 7.8-year payback.
*All scenarios are unique, your experience may differ.
First Baptist Church of O’Fallon, IL
Powers Its Mission with Solar
When First Baptist Church of O’Fallon went solar in 2022, they built one of the largest church solar projects in the region. After 4,400 hours of careful installation work, the church now features an impressive 1,600 solar panels across its roof, a testament to their commitment to environmental stewardship and fiscal responsibility. With a solar capacity of over 599 kW, this powerful system is projected to save the church approximately $34,000 annually, allowing them to redirect significant resources toward their ministry and community outreach programs.
*All scenarios are unique, your experience may differ.
Bond Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, East St. Louis
Got A Little Help From Above
Bond Avenue Missionary Baptist Church (The River) received a little help from above when they partnered with StraightUp Solar in 2022. Through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the StraightUp Solar Legacy Fund, the church installed a 35 kW solar energy system designed to produce 90% of their electricity needs. Thanks to the PPA and the Illinois Solar for All program, Bond Avenue Church is reducing their electricity bills by an estimated 57%, significant savings that allow them to dedicate more resources to serving their East St. Louis community and advancing their mission.
*All scenarios are unique, your experience may differ.
Lawndale Christian Health Center
35kW Solar Array Serves Mission
This 35kW solar array, installed in 2021, produces 41,000 kWh of solar energy for the health center’s buildings, offsetting 35% of their power needs. The array prevents 28.7 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) from being released into the atmosphere, directly supporting their mission of community health.
Funding was provided through the StraightUp Solar Legacy Fund and the Illinois Solar for All program.
*All scenarios are unique, your experience may differ.
Why Houses of Worship Trust
StraightUp Solar
Proven Experience with Religious Organizations
Since 2006, StraightUp Solar has been helping organizations throughout Illinois and Missouri make the switch to clean, reliable energy. With over 3,300 solar installations, we bring the expertise needed to design, permit, and install systems that meet your congregation’s unique needs. From your first consultation to long-term maintenance, our solar installation company manages the entire process so you can stay focused on ministry.
Values-Based Organization
StraightUp Solar is more than a commercial solar company. We’re a certified Benefit Corporation (B Corp), valuing people and the planet alongside profit, and everything we do is guided by our CLEARE values:
Care for Community
Lead the Energy Transition
Educate Everyone
Advocate with Purpose
Respect People & Planet
Embody Excellence
STRATEGIC INCENTIVES & FINANCIALS
Funding Your Mission
HOUSE OF WORSHIP SOLAR
INCENTIVES
Nonprofits, including churches, synagogues, mosques, and other religious organizations, can use Direct Pay to access the 30% federal tax credit. Federal law has drastically curtailed the life of this incentive, act today to secure maximum benefit!
Combined with state incentives, utility rebates, and other programs, you could see significant cost savings. Flexible financing is designed for nonprofit budgets, including plans that to start saving on energy costs immediately.
Illinois Solar for All Program
Illinois Solar for All is a state program that benefits income-eligible and environmental justice communities in Illinois.
The State of Illinois offers this program to meet its renewable energy goals and to bring the expansion of solar energy to income-eligible communities. With state and utility funding, Illinois Solar for All pays incentives for solar projects that serve income-eligible households, non-profit organizations, and public facilities.
StraightUp Solar is an Approved Vendor-designee in Illinois Solar for All.
Power Your Ministry with Smart Solar Solutions
Houses of Worship Solar: FAQs
Savings vary depending on your energy usage and system size, but most houses of worship see substantial reductions in their monthly utility bills. When you factor in federal and state incentives, religious organizations can save significantly on the overall cost of going solar. Start with a free quote to see your potential savings.
Absolutely. Commercial-grade solar panels are designed for durability and built to last 25 years or more. They come with comprehensive warranties for peace of mind, and StraightUp Solar’s in-house Commercial Operations and Maintenance Department is here to keep your system running smoothly year after year.
Thanks to net metering, any surplus energy your system generates is sent back to the grid. In return, you receive credits on your utility bill, so your solar panels continue delivering value even when your building isn’t using all the electricity being produced.
Our design team works carefully with houses of worship to ensure solar installations complement your building’s architecture and respect the sacred nature of your space. We’ve successfully installed solar on historical churches, modern worship centers, and everything in between.
STRAIGHTUP SOLAR IS A
Certified B Corp
StraightUp Solar first became Certified as a Benefit Corporation (B Corp) in 2015. Unique in the business world, B Corps commit to high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
