True Life Church takes eco-stand, adds solar panels to provide power

True Life Church has turned to the heavens for one of its earthly needs, becoming the first Round Rock church to use solar power.

To save money and reduce its carbon footprint, the church off East Old Settlers Boulevard recruited Longhorn Solar to install a 45,000-watt solar power system.

The investment represents more than 1.5 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy the church will no longer have to buy from its energy provider over the next 25 years, according to a new release. The new solar array could save True Life Church an estimated $230,000 in electric bills over the next 30 years.

Senior pastor Richard Neusch said the decision to go solar was personal. He is a former owner of Integrity Energy Systems, and his research led him to believe going solar made sense.

“When I see solar panels on a house or business, it actually gives me a good feeling,” he said. “It tells me that this organization cares about the environment.”

Neusch said the church has seen a 50 percent decrease in its monthly electric bills since installing the system in October. That money will help the church give back more to the community, he said.

“We support several other ministries in the area, the Round Rock Area Serving Center and the Love the Rock organization,” he said. “We also do a lot of work in low-income neighborhoods.”

Steve Petrik, director of business development at Longhorn Solar, said he enjoyed working with True Life Church.

“We’re excited to see houses of worship getting behind the investment opportunity that solar presents,” he said.

Longhorn Solar lead consultant Bryan Kerr said a crew installed 170 solar panels on the church’s rooftop in less than a week. Each solar panel is 18 to 19 square feet, taking up about 3,200 square feet total. When the weather is sunny, the system can provide nearly 80 percent of the power at the church.

Neusch said the True Life Church community and its neighbors were pleased with the decision to go solar.

“When our neighbors and those who live in the neighborhood saw that we had installed solar, they were grateful that we’re doing our part to take care of the environment,” he said.