Why should every place of worship take a closer look at their energy bills — and their solar eligibility. What started as a simple inquiry into solar options soon revealed something much bigger.
Why should every place of worship take a closer look at their energy bills — and their solar eligibility. What started as a simple inquiry into solar options soon revealed something much bigger.
When St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church in Washington, D.C. contacted us about their rising electricity costs, they weren’t looking for anything extraordinary — just a way to reduce their monthly bill, which had climbed to more than $4,000. For this congregation, that level of expense was becoming increasingly unsustainable.
During our initial assessment, something didn’t add up. The church’s energy usage seemed unusually high for the size and operation of the building. That prompted us to dig deeper.
What we discovered was surprising:
The electric meter assigned to the church actually belonged to the apartment building next door.
For months, St. Matthew had been paying their neighbor’s electric bill — unknowingly covering thousands of dollars in unrelated utility use. This kind of billing mix-up is more common than people realize, especially in older buildings or multi-unit neighborhoods. But without reviewing the details, churches often assume the bills are simply “what they are.” St. Matthew didn’t — and the discovery changed everything.
Working alongside dedicated church members, we helped gather documentation, communicate with PEPCO, and present the case for correction. It wasn’t quick — the investigation required proof, meter checks, photographs, and consistent follow-up — but persistence paid off.
PEPCO acknowledged the mistake and issued the church a reimbursement for almost $100,000 for months of incorrect charges.
This not only provided financial relief but also opened the door to something even better. Once the billing issue was resolved, St. Matthew became eligible for our fully sponsored, no-cost solar installation program — a resource available to many faith-based organizations across Washington, D.C.
Today, the church is powered by clean, renewable solar energy with no upfront cost, reducing their long-term expenses and strengthening their mission of stewardship and sustainability.
Their story shows what can happen when a congregation takes a closer look and advocates for its own energy future.
Many churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, and nonprofit community centers throughout the District are eligible for free solar projects. These programs are designed to support mission-driven organizations, especially those carrying the burden of high energy bills. If your congregation owns its building and is interested in lowering operating costs, now is an excellent time to explore your options.
Even if you’re not ready for solar yet, we are happy to review your bills for free.
St. Matthew’s experience is a powerful reminder that:
✔ Meter mix-ups happen
✔ Billing errors can go unnoticed for months
✔ Congregations often overpay without realizing it
A quick review can reveal major savings — or confirm that your billing is correct. Either way, it’s worth the peace of mind.
Our mission is simple:
To help faith communities reduce expenses, embrace sustainability, and redirect savings toward what matters most — their people and their purpose.
If you’d like a bill review or want to learn whether your place of worship qualifies for a sponsored solar project, we’d be honored to help.