N.C. Church Takes a Defiant Stand—With Solar Panels

[n2doc]

In a rare state that does not allow third-party electricity generation, a Greensboro church bucks Duke Energy and state law to embrace clean energy.

By Zahra Hirji, InsideClimate News

A jovial ribbon-cutting ceremony at a small red brick church in Greensboro, the third-largest city in North Carolina, was something of a masquerade. It was really a bold stance for environmental justice.

The solar panels gleaming on the roof of Faith Community Church are meant to generate power—and controversy—because they defy a state law prohibiting anyone besides major utility companies from selling electricity. It's not an outright ban on consumer solar panels, but it's close. And it's backed by the energy giant Duke Energy.

The church in partnership with a local environmental social justice group, the North Carolina Waste Awareness and Reduction Network, NC WARN, wants to change that.

"This giant monopoly...should not be entitled to the energy from the sun, which God has given to all of us," said Rev. Nelson Johnson, senior pastor at the Greensboro church. Johnson, a North Carolina native, is known across the state for decades of work on social and economic justice issues.

more

http://insideclimatenews.com/news/30062015/north-carolina-church-takes-defiant-stand-solar-panels-distributed-solar-leasing-duke-energy

[WDIM]

1. As long as the church doesnt sell the electricity whats the problem?

We should have solar panels on every roof in this country.

[OKIsItJustMe]

2. The church does not own the panels, NC WARN does and they sell electricity to the church

http://www.ncwarn.org/2015/06/greensboro-church-installs-solar-panels-challenges-duke-on-selling-electricity-news-record/

…

Faith Community Church and the advocacy group NC WARN unveiled a partnership in which the Durham-based nonprofit has installed solar panels on the African American congregation’s rooftop to produce electricity for sale to the church.

…

Later Wednesday, NC WARN filed a petition with the N.C. Utilities Commission seeking the supervisory board’s blessing on the new partnership. The group asked the commission for a “declaratory ruling” that the relationship is lawful.

Jim Warren, the executive director of NC WARN, said a favorable decision could be trendsetting and inspire similar partnerships statewide. He called the relationship with Faith Community Church a “test case” targeting the state’s solar policy, and he questioned Duke Energy’s hold on the sale of electricity.

…

Duke Energy plans to oppose the petition, arguing that allowing such arrangements on a large scale would erode the utility’s ability to function successfully and leave some consumers without a reliable source of power.

[AnnetteJacobs]

3. Harvesting your own electricity is illegal? Oh, FFS.

Next, they'll outlaw rain barrels. And then you can't breathe unless you have pre-approved store-bought oxygen tanks.

[OKIsItJustMe]

4. Ah, but the church is not harvesting their own electricity!

A little non-profit is harvesting the electriciy, which they’re selling to the church. Plus, the church is not going off-grid. This is a grid-connected system.

The whole thing is specifically designed to force the NC Utilities Commission to clamp down on a church if they want to keep the rule in place. This is civil disobedience.

…

The church ultimately aims to make the benefits of non-polluting — and possibly cheaper — solar power more accessible to low-income and minority communities, Johnson said.

…

More power to ’em. 👍

[Finishline42]

6. Lots of states prevent that - Kentucky is one and they also limit the size to 30 kW

I think the term that applies is PPA (Purchased Power Agreement)?

[OKIsItJustMe]

7. and this is an effort to thwart those laws

(A good thing™ in my book.)

For What It’s Worth: PPA = Power Purchase Agreement.

[Finishline42]

8. I agree

I can't believe that Florida of all places prevents PPA's. (BTW, thanks for the clarification)

PPA's could be used to put PV on schools and government buildings. Pay off the panels in 20 yrs and then get free electricity for another 20 yrs.

[friendly_iconoclast]

5. Well done, Rev. Johnson! <golf clap>