Detroit church cuts bills with solar and EV chargers to help families

Rising utility bills have become a source of stress for many Detroit households, according to Rev. Dr. Calvin Glass. Glass, who has served the city since 1990, notes that seniors on fixed incomes and working parents are struggling to balance energy costs with rent, groceries, and medical expenses. He describes the rising cost of keeping the lights on as a community issue rather than just a utility problem.

Glass traces the current strain to decades of economic change in the neighborhood. He recalls a time when the area was filled with working families employed by Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors. Over the years, manufacturing jobs disappeared, major businesses left, and supermarkets closed. As those supports vanished, the church began responding to growing needs, including food insecurity and health care challenges.

In response to these pressures, Lord of Lords Ministries installed a series of energy efficiency upgrades over the years. The improvements include solar panels, battery backup systems, electric vehicle charging stations, and air quality monitoring equipment. Glass states that these investments were made to advocate for a healthier environment and better serve people, rather than because they were fashionable.

The upgrades have allowed the church to operate during power outages, reduce waste, and lower its own energy bills. Glass says the systems also created opportunities to educate others about solutions that can benefit their homes and businesses. He argues that cleaner and more affordable energy solutions are not just ideas for the future but are already helping communities in Detroit.

Glass supports efforts to expand access to practical energy solutions, such as community solar and energy-efficiency improvements. He believes these tools help families keep more money in their pockets. He emphasizes that energy decisions should reflect the needs of the people who live with the consequences daily, stating that the goal is fairness and community transformation.

The minister cites Hebrews 10:23-24 in his view that hope requires action. He calls for leaders to listen and for communities to work together to build a future that is healthier and more affordable. Glass believes that decisions made about energy today will shape the lives of future generations in Detroit.