The US EPA EnergyStar program has specific resources for congregations including a building energy performance rating system called Portfolio Manager. The rating system (1-100 scale) enables a congregation to determine its annual energy use relative to the energy usage of a large population of similar buildings across the country. The Portfolio Manager calculation process takes into account a building’s square footage, weekday usage, sanctuary seating capacity, local weather, and other factors that affect energy use. NCIPL encourages the use of carbon calculators to document both your baseline and your progress. This one has been refined over the years and is increasingly helpful.
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) ranks NC #24 in state energy efficiency policy. Check out that rating and more information about North Carolina and energy here.
Solar Clearinghouse This is a suite of resources: financing models, a how-to-guide, and a collection of NC congregational success stories.
Tax Implications: Here is a link to Guidelines for Determining the Tax Credit for Investing in Renewable Energy Property, a report by the NC Department of Revenue that describes the North Carolina tax credit for investing in renewable energy property and explains how taxpayers can take the credit for donations to nonprofits for the purchase of renewable energy property. This document includes legislative changes enacted as of August 20, 2014. You can also download our older one-page summary, RenewableEnergyStateTaxCreditForDonors.
Downloads
Simple Things That You Can Do to Save Energy
Pipe Organ Temperature Guidelines
NCIPL Lending Library
DVD. Kilowatt Ours: A Plan to Re-Energize America, Jeff Barrie. Award-winning film
Other Resources
Greenfaith offers energy webinar recordings and documents.
California IPL has a solar resource guide for congregations with both general information and information specific to California.
Georgia IPL has extensive energy efficiency resources which is available for download after free registration.
Greater Washington IPL has put together an array of solar resources, including this lovely booklet which you can download or save into your dropbox.