Sunrock Distributed Generation (Sunrock), a leading commercial solar and clean energy platform, and Watthub Renewables (Watthub), a nationwide commercial solar installer, have successfully completed a 280kW rooftop solar installation at Palm Valley Church. The project, financed through a solar service agreement, is expected to generate 495,000 kWh of electricity annually, reducing the church’s energy costs by approximately 30% and cutting carbon emissions by an estimated 375 tons per year.
The Goodyear site, housed in a former multi-tenanted retail building, is one of two Palm Valley Churches in Arizona. The church, which provides religious services and hosts numerous community activities, has high annual energy consumption. The switch to solar energy aligns with Palm Valley Church’s mission to enhance sustainability and set a positive example for the local community while mitigating rising grid electricity costs.
Palm Valley Church partnered with Watthub and Sunrock to develop and finance the project. Watthub also brought in its sister company, SunRenu Solar, for the installation, leveraging SunRenu’s expertise in mid-sized commercial solar projects. The 622-panel solar system employs advanced DC-optimized inverter technology, maximizing energy production and enabling detailed module-level monitoring for efficient operation and maintenance.
John McDonnell, Co-Founder and Principal of Watthub, highlighted the significance of the project: “Palm Valley Church is among many local organizations in Arizona striving for sustainability and protection against rising electricity costs, particularly after the 17% statewide increase in grid energy prices last November. Traditionally, financing for solar projects has been limited to larger installations, leaving smaller organizations with few options. Sunrock’s customer-centric approach changes this, empowering communities with renewable solar power.”
Under the solar service agreement, Sunrock financed the entire Palm Valley solar installation and will own and operate it for 30 years. The energy generated will be sold to Palm Valley Church at a discounted rate compared to grid electricity. This arrangement is expected to save the church around 30% on electricity costs annually, with potential for higher savings if grid prices increase.
Maintenance of the solar installation will be handled by SunRenu, ensuring any performance issues or part replacements are promptly addressed. This arrangement allows Palm Valley Church to focus on its community services while contributing to environmental protection.
Sunrock’s and Watthub’s collaboration on this project represents a significant step forward in making renewable energy accessible to smaller organizations, setting a precedent for similar future initiatives.
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