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After a two-year journey with plenty of bumps along the way, solar panels on the Congregational Church of Batavia’s roof are up and running.
The church will mark the milestone with a ribbon cutting at 4PM on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
Here’s what to know:
A long road: Church members started contacting solar companies in April 2024 and signed a contract with Independence Renewable Energy that September. The permit application went to the city in February 2025.
Removing a roadblock: Pastor Paige Wolfanger said the City of Batavia updated its energy policy in 2025, paving the way for the church — and other organizations — to embrace solar under the new rules.
Funded by members: The church took out a loan to get the project moving, then ran a 2025 fundraising campaign that brought in just over $1 million for the solar panels, a reinforced roof, and other repairs and updates.
The ribbon cutting is open to the public. The 191-year-old congregation was established in 1835 as “The Church of the Big and Little Woods.”
Pastor Wolfanger called the panels “a reflection of the values of justice and stewardship we have held since our founding.”
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