STATE COLLEGE — The University Mennonite Church has received a grant from the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund to help cover the cost of solar panel installation on its meeting house, located at 1601 Norma St. in State College.
The solar power system will consist of 56 roof-mounted panels, which will produce approximately 27,000 kilowatt-hours annually. The solar installation project is a major component of the church’s initiative to make the facility a net-zero energy building.
Other components of the UMC net-zero energy plan include reducing annual electric consumption to about 24,000 kWh by replacing existing resistant heating units with high efficiency heat pumps, using programable thermostats and converting to more energy-efficient LED lighting.
After a comprehensive professional energy audit completed in 2020, the components of the plan were developed through the congregation’s study and consideration of practical alternatives.
“We are extremely grateful and humbled by the support of WPPSEF in our endeavor to become better stewards of our resources and the environment. We hope that we will be able to encourage and provide information to other churches that are contemplating moving towards net-zero energy,” said Kate Heinzel, pastor of UMC.
Joel Morrison, WPPSEF fund administrator, said, “UMC’s net-zero energy plan can serve as a model for others in the Centre County region. Coupling energy-efficiency improvements first to reduce their electric use followed by installing on-site electric production from a renewable energy technology is an approach often advocated by WPPSEF. This approach leads to a deeper energy reduction and less reliance on the electric grid.”
