Grand Rapids, MI – October 26, 2021– Calvin Christian Reformed Church in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., added solar panels to its rooftop. CCRC selected Altenergy Solar, a national solar contractor with an office in Comstock Park, Mich., to custom design and install the solar array. Altenergy installed 124 solar modules to CCRC’s rooftop. The system is expected to offset 40% of CCRC’s electrical usage, produce 62,147kWH annually and reduce utility costs by approximately $9,000, year-over-year.
CCRC entrusted Nate Dierlam, a member of the congregation with an engineering background, to spearhead the initiative to go green. “Part of what convinced our folks that the project was viable, was presenting them with Altenergy’s payback calculations. Showing our social justice committee that the system would pay off, and long-term, be a big money saver for the church, was extremely helpful,” said Dierlam. “We are
installing the system for a variety of reasons. The economics make sense, and we have a desire to lessen our greenhouse gas emissions,” noted Dierlam.
Altenergy’s operations team carefully investigated CCRC’s steep roof before finalizing an installation strategy. “We knew this was a steep roof and game planned for a few weeks,” said Chad Becker, Altenergy’s Branch Manager in Grand Rapids. “Of course, planning is one thing, but repelling down a 50-degree incline is a different feeling. It is a beautiful building, inside and out, and we’re glad to be part of giving the church the ability to produce its own clean source of energy,” added Becker.
By making the switch to renewable energy, CCRC is setting a precedent for environmental stewardship in the Grand Rapids community. The church is following a national trend towards clean energy; leading to reduced operating costs and redirecting funds towards community missions and outreach.
About Altenergy, Inc. (soon to be Tiger Solar)
Altenergy is a full-service solar contractor headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., with offices in Staunton, Va., Idaho, Maryland and Michigan. With over 16 years of experience, 1,600 projects completed and 21 MW of PV capacity, Altenergy designs, builds and installs efficient solar energy systems to generate clean, renewable energy. Altenergy was acquired by Tiger Fuel Company in May 2021 and will transition to operating business under a new name, Tiger Solar. altenergyincorporated.com