Area's Largest Solar Array To Be Dedicated At Clearwater Church

CLEARWATER, FL — A Clearwater church is taking advantage of God's gift of sunlight by installing one of the largest solar arrays in the area.

Trinity Presbyterian Church, 2001 Rainbow Drive in Clearwater, will host a rooftop dedication and ribbon-cutting Thursday, Sept. 1 at 10 a.m. to celebrate the completion of the project that includes 391 solar panels installed on the roof of the sanctuary and fellowship hall.

Installation began in early July as part of Solar United Neighbors' Greater St. Pete 2021 Solar Co-op.

Trinity has been recognized as an Earth Care Congregation by the Presbyterian Church (USA) and has become a leader in Tampa Bay, demonstrating sustainable energy practices to help lower the use of fossil fuels, a leading cause of climate change.

On hand for the dedication will be church officials, co-op members and representatives from the Sierra Club and Solar United Neighbors.

Trinity co-pastor, the Rev. Dawn Conti and city of Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard will provide a welcome while an overview of the project will be presented by Trinity associate pastor, the Rev. Kathi Trautwein, Suncoast Sierra Club Chairman Bryan Beckman, Brent Cotton of Solar United Neighbors, the Rev. Bill Wildhack and Rebecca Harrison of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay and Clearwater Vice Mayor Kathleen Beckman.

Taking part in the ribbon-cutting and dedication liturgy will be Conti, Trinity co-pastor the Rev. Andrew Walton, Trautwein and Trinity elders Jordan Ammons and Bill Trautwein.

A reception will take place in Trinity Fellowship Hall.