en.Wedoany.com Reported - The New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Lithonia, Georgia, has recently installed solar panels, energy storage equipment, and electric vehicle charging stations, becoming one of the first religious sites in the state to adopt such facilities. This initiative aims to transform the church into a community resilience hub capable of providing power support during emergencies.

The project, jointly promoted by the AME Sixth District and Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL), includes a 70.11-kilowatt solar system and a 41-kilowatt-hour energy storage system. It is expected to meet 80% of the church's energy needs and save over $15,000 in electricity costs annually. Additionally, it features electric vehicle charging stations that utilize solar power to charge community vehicles.

Bishop Michael Leon Mitchell of the AME Church's Sixth District in Georgia stated: "Historically, AME churches have been beacons of hope for communities in times of crisis. By becoming a resilience hub, we are continuing this legacy and preparing for climate challenges." GIPL Project Director Hannah Shultz added: "This installation goes beyond clean energy; it's about building infrastructure to withstand future storms."

Currently, 12 churches are participating in the pilot program, with four receiving additional funding. It is estimated that the 482 churches in the Sixth District could generate approximately 34 GWh of electricity per year, enough to power over 3,000 households.

Reverend Will Thomas, Senior Pastor of New Bethel AME Church, noted: "When the community loses power, we want this to be a place where people can come for safety and support. This embodies our commitment to serving the community." The project is funded through a solar power purchase agreement, requiring no upfront costs from the church.

Roji Aldashi, CEO of Better Tomorrow Solar, said: "Installing solar and storage at New Bethel AME is a statement about the future. When places of worship become sources of community energy, we truly see the impact of renewable energy."

This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com