A church in Meadville will now get most of its electricity from rooftop solar panels, thanks to a small group of college students and faculty and a 2022 grant from the Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies (CFA).

“The tremendous reduction in energy consumption through the use of clean energy technology was a key factor in our advisory committee’s decision to award the grant funding,” said Angie Berzonski, CFA Associate Director. “However, what really set the project apart from other applicants was the overall community connection. This facility functions as a church for a portion of its operations, but it is also home to a preschool and daycare during the week, in addition to being used regularly as a community center. So the ability to support the students’ hands-on learning as part of such a vibrant and visible project was really appealing.”

The Met Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund is currently creating its strategic plan for 2023-25 and expects to announce any grant opportunities and priorities for this year later this spring. Keep an eye on the fund’s web page for further announcements.

Click here to read the full story on “The Campus,” the student news site of Allegheny College.