Orange County NC Website
Schedule of Positions: <br />B1f. Number of Full- <br />Time Paid Positions: <br />1 <br />B1g. Number of Part- <br />Time Paid Positions: <br />0 <br />B1h. Number of <br />Volunteers: <br />115 <br />B2. Do you have <br />another collaborator <br />or partner to add? <br />No <br />Section C. Project Information <br />C1a. Project Name <br />(This will be used as <br />the name of your <br />submission; please <br />keep your project <br />name to less than 5 <br />words. Examples: <br />Tree Planting, LED <br />Lights, Rain Garden, <br />Rooftop Solar) <br />St. Joseph's CME Church Solar Project <br />C1b. Please <br />describe the <br />proposed project. <br />(300 word limit) <br />SolarEquity proposes the installation of a 23.4kW solar array on the roof of <br />St. Joseph’s CME Church, located in Chapel Hill’s Northside Neighborhood. <br />Northside is a historically Black community that has long provided <br />affordable housing for families earning 30-60% of the area's median <br />income. In recent decades, the neighborhood has faced intense pressures <br />from gentrification and student rental conversions, placing financial and <br />cultural strain on long-term residents. St. Joseph’s CME Church has been a <br />cornerstone of the Northside community for generations. Its congregation <br />is directly responsible for covering the church’s utility costs, which puts an <br />additional financial burden on members already facing housing insecurity <br />and rising living expenses. This project would directly reduce that burden. <br />By installing solar, the church will save approximately $104 per month, <br />totaling $1,253 per year, which can be reinvested into community-focused <br />programming. Over the solar array’s 30-year lifespan, the system will also <br />offset more than 1.038 million pounds of carbon emissions, contributing to <br />a more sustainable future. Before the installation, SolarEquity will contract <br />NC Solar Now to replace a portion of the roof, ensuring it is viable for the <br />full lifetime of the solar system. This proactive investment ensures the <br />project’s durability and long-term impact. This project is a tangible step <br />toward climate justice, energy equity, and long-term stability for a <br />neighborhood fighting to retain its identity and support its residents. <br />Docusign Envelope ID: F42389BC-2D83-4E00-BC11-D720BFF48873