As the Tribune reported in several articles this year, Rocky Mountain Power and Utah politicians are working aggressively to keep coal-fired plants operating beyond their planned closure dates over the next five years. Previous plans had called for an end to coal as a fuel for electricity generation before the end of 2030. In addition, the utility recently announced plans to increase rates by 30% over 18 months.

Utah has a unique advantage that could allow the state to accelerate, rather than slow, the transition to renewable energy while reducing energy costs. The state has a large number of churches that are among the sunniest in the country.

Utah’s religious leaders generally recognize a responsibility to the earth and the people who inhabit it, including those who live in low-income countries and suffer most from the current and growing impacts of climate change. Religious leaders who are not enthusiastic about climate solutions, however, find zeal in helping impoverished people around the world.

As the Tribune reported at the time, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began building meetinghouses with solar panels in 2010. Other faith groups have done so, too, including St. Thomas More Catholic Parish in Cottonwood Heights, which added solar panels in 2014. Most church buildings in Utah, however, are not equipped with solar panels; many solar incentives do not apply to nonprofits.

Policymakers in the legislature, on public service commissions, and in communities should work with Rocky Mountain Power and the dozens of other electric utilities to offer incentives to church buildings to use their roofs to generate excess solar power and combine it with battery storage to effectively extend sunlight into the evening. Industrial electricity users could be key players in the complex algebra that comes with agreeing to buy power from churches.

Ultimately, serious collaboration could result in churches being equipped with solar panels quickly. With the right incentives for churches, solar power production could reach thousands of megawatts – a significant share of the 4,591 megawatts generated by coal-fired power plants.

We point out that the comparison is not accurate because the sun does not shine 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, like a power plant can. Regardless, these religious roofs could be the key to accelerating Utah’s transition away from coal, rather than slowing it down. Church roofs have the potential to generate several terawatt hours of electricity annually, making a major contribution to replacing coal.

Churches don’t have to pay the cost of solar panels from their balance sheets—and neither do utilities. With church-specific incentives from the state or established power generators, the energy savings and revenue from churches’ overproduction (many of which sit idle for several days a week) could provide the cash flow to justify funding the systems. Almost by definition, every chapel is connected to a congregation, which usually includes members who can help with funding. Companies like CollectiveSun, Climatize and Raise Green specialize in helping crowds fund climate solutions.

By taking the time to work together thoughtfully, faith-based, energy-sector and political leaders have the opportunity to create shared economic value that may reduce energy costs while making a tangible contribution to reducing Utah’s carbon emissions.

Jeb McCandless is a Utah resident who has lived for 37 years in a passive solar home built in 1985 that he installed solar panels in 2017.

Devin Thorpe is an author, television producer, and show host who ran for Congress in Utah’s 3rd District in 2020 on a platform that prioritizes climate solutions.

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