Solar Installation First Unitarian Universalist Church
The First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego stands as a historic beacon of liberal faith and social justice in the heart of Hillcrest. Founded in 1873, the church has long been a center for reason, tolerance, and community activism. Its sprawling Hillcrest campus serves a diverse congregation, hosting spiritual services, educational programs, and various community initiatives. However, maintaining a facility of this scale, especially with the energy-intensive demands of a large sanctuary and administrative offices, presents a significant operational challenge. For a church deeply committed to ethical living and environmental justice, the rising cost of traditional utility power in San Diego was more than just a financial hurdle—it was an opportunity to put their spiritual values into practice.
Way back in 2014, the First Unitarian Universalist Church decided it was time to transition to a more sustainable energy future. Their large facilities required a substantial amount of power, particularly during the warm San Diego summers when air conditioning is essential for congregational comfort. After conducting extensive research into the local energy landscape and vetting several providers, the church selected Stellar Solar to design and install their renewable energy solution.
A Rigorous Selection Process
The choice of a solar partner was not made lightly. Robie Evans, the Director of Operations for the church at the time, played a pivotal role in the selection process. “The selection of Stellar Solar was made after meeting with several San Diego solar installers and a lot of research on their history, capabilities, and quality of people on their team,” Evans noted. The church required a firm that could not only handle a complex 73 kW installation but also one that aligned with their standards for professionalism and long-term reliability.
Stellar Solar’s deep roots in the San Diego community and our specialized experience with non-profit and faith-based organizations made us a natural fit. We understood that for the First Unitarian Universalist Church, this project was as much about financial stewardship as it was about moral leadership.
Engineering for Mission and Sustainability
To meet the church’s high energy demands, Stellar Solar designed and installed a comprehensive 73 kW solar system. This significant array, featuring 290 high-performance solar panels, was engineered to offset a major portion of the campus’s electricity usage. By utilizing the church’s roof space, we were able to create a high-output system that captures the abundant San Diego sunshine to power everything from the sanctuary lighting to the essential A/C systems.
A unique feature of this installation was the integration with the church’s metal “Decra” roof. Working with specialized roofing materials requires a high level of technical expertise to ensure a secure, leak-free installation while maintaining the structural integrity of the building. Our team successfully navigated these requirements, delivering a system that is as durable as it is efficient.
Financial Stewardship and Spiritual Values
The financial impact of the 73 kW system has been transformative for the parish. By generating their own clean electricity on-site, the church has significantly reduced its dependence on the grid, protecting itself from the volatile rate increases that have characterized the San Diego utility market over the last decade. This shift has allowed the church to redirect thousands of dollars annually toward its core missions, including its robust social justice programs and community outreach.
Beyond the numbers, the project serves as a powerful expression of the Unitarian Universalist values. “Along with this being a very smart financial decision for the church, we feel that going solar is an important expression of our spiritual values which include being good stewards of the planet,” the church leadership shared. By leading by example, the First Unitarian Universalist Church demonstrates that environmental stewardship is a vital component of a modern, faith-driven community.
A Legacy of Environmental Leadership
Since flipping the switch in 2014, the solar array at the First Unitarian Universalist Church has continued to perform reliably, serving as a landmark for green energy in the Hillcrest neighborhood. It stands as a testament to what is possible when an organization aligns its operational infrastructure with its foundational beliefs.
Stellar Solar is proud to have partnered with the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego on this landmark project. We remain committed to helping the region’s houses of worship, schools, and non-profits achieve energy independence through expert design and quality workmanship.
If your organization is looking to reduce overhead and honor your values through renewable energy, contact Stellar Solar today. We provide comprehensive site evaluations and custom engineering to help you take control of your energy future.