A custom steel solar shade structure was installed by TFS in the Catalina United Methodist Church parking lot adjacent to Himmel Park in late 2013. The 118.3 kW system will provide energy savings to the church via a Solar Services Agreement and also has the added benefit of shading 48 parking spots for the church's employees and parishioners. The solar array provides 86-90% of the total electricity used by the church and adjoining Day School.
Catalina UMC was motivated to go solar by "the basic theological issue of caring for the planet in the best ways possible." The church has been focused on sustainability for some time reducing their trash production by half, increasing their recycling by 30%, and upgrading all of their lighting for energy efficient models.
For Catalina UMC, "Solar is an effective and efficient way to produce energy, good for the environment and provides a cost savings for those who use it."