Shalom Nanogrid

The Shalom Nanogrid joined two formerly separate electrical services, for the house of worship and a neighboring residence, into one, allowing the solar and storage to meet energy needs of both. Commissioned in 2022, the nanogrid, a net energy producer, directly supplies two-thirds of the power used on-site. Panel orientation optimizes morning production year-round (supporting Sunday services) and afternoons especially in the summer, relieving grid stress at seasonal and hourly peak usage periods. The Battery storage increases on-site solar use, further reduces our contribution to late afternoon usage and does what solar alone cannot: cuts our contributions to evening peak grid demand.

Electrification and elimination of natural gas use in church systems was completed as part of nanogrid implementation. Earthworks that allow our Sonoran desert rainfall to soak in and support native trees and plants before running off were completed prior to the COVID pandemic. Our campus includes two additional solar installations that power a household of full-time community volunteers, and the headquarters of a nonprofit house repair program serving low-income residents of Pima County. There are two heat pump water heaters on the campus.