Midwest Mission Distribution Center electricity will soon be 100% solar!
The second and final phase of the solar installations at MMDC's Chatham campus is funded, and installation is set for March, 2025.
Solar Panels will be installed on the staff house (marked “A”), Twice Giving (“B”), the Studio (“C”), and the Lodge (aka Dorm – “D”).
The up-front cost was $149,000, but after government and grant incentives, the net investment was only $39,000, raised from donations by MMDC supporters in Illinois and beyond.
This solar panel system will save Midwest Mission an estimated $305,978 over 30 years. These new panels will make Midwest Mission Illinois a completely solar-powered campus!
"AND," MMDC says: "we will be better stewards of our environment. How exciting is that!"
Have you had your FREE energy assessment?
So you'd like to save energy and reduce your church's carbon footprint - but there's no money, right? And with federal programs under attack, it's too late anyway, right? Very likely, wrong!
There are an amazing incentives available for small businesses - including churches - through Commonwealth Edison, for a very wide variety of energy upgrades, and can add up to 50 or 75% of an energy-upgrade project's cost - and even, in certain cases, 100% - by stacking various incentives from various state programs.
An incentive is not a rebate. A rebate requires coming up with the money up front and then getting part of it paid back. In contrast, incentives are deductions from the cost of a project up front!
Among the dozens of kinds of projects covered are: smart heating controls, HVAC systems, indoor and outdoor lighting and smart lighting controls, more efficient refrigeration. And from other departments, projects like: vehicle charger for a church van and induction ranges for the kitchen.
You have nothing to lose by scheduling a free energy assessment. Do it now - the available incentives change, and funding is handed out first come, first served. Your project may be more doable than you think. This Lent, consider helping your church fast from wasting energy.
Here's the contact information for the ComEd Small business folks. Email: BusinessEE@ComEd.com Phone: 855-433-2700
And here's information about the federal funding available in the Inflation Reduction Act:
Welcome to the Website of the UMC Northern Illinois Conference
Net-Zero Task Force
The NIC Net Zero team is working toward Net-Zero emissions goals for Northern Illinois Conference, in concert with the United Methodist Church's 12-agency commitment to "achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 across ministries, facilities, operations, and investments."
Rev. Harriette Cross,
NIC Net-Zero Task Force Coordinator
The NIC Net Zero team is working toward Net-Zero emissions goals for Northern Illinois Conference, in concert with the United Methodist Church's 12-agency commitment to "achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 across ministries, facilities, operations, and investments."
You and your congregation are invited to join in this effort. This website offers links to resources that can help.
Also, check out our Facebook group page for timely news, and to share your testimony of success!