Shining Example: Disaster Response Solar Trailer on Display at General Conference

By Sybil Davidson

Today and tomorrow, North Georgia United Methodists and UMCOR are introducing their Disaster Response Solar Trailer to delegates, visitors of the General Conference, members of the media, and passersby.

Technical experts from the trailer team, Chris Hansen and Tom Staigle, along with Rev. Scott Parrish, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator and Mission Specialist, are on hand greeting conference-goers in front of the Charlotte Convention Center. They're joined by UMCOR and UMC Global Ministries staff.

Visitors are being treated to complimentary solar-brewed coffee, courtesy of Deep Time Coffee, a Fresh Expression ministry in the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church.

The trailer showcased here in Charlotte marks a significant advancement in disaster response technology for the Southeastern region.

"This equipment is one way we can show up with our best when the community needs us most," said Rev. Parrish.

Solar microgrid trailers offer clean power and can be easily transported to emergency sites, providing crucial services such as cell phone charging, Wi-Fi, refrigeration, lighting, and medical device operation.

In times of disaster, gaining access to a source of power is one of the most essential yet challenging parts of response and recovery. But fossil fuels – a contributor to climate change – are still the go-to source of backup power during emergencies.
A coalition of partners unveiled the solar microgrid trailer in late 2023: The United Methodist Committee on Relief, the North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church, the Footprint Project, Cherry Street Energy, and the Ray C. Anderson Foundation.

Other Annual Conferences or disaster response ministries can adopt this model and even utilize the policies and procedures developed by North Georgia Conference ERT and UMCOR.

"What we've done here is easily transferrable," remarked Staigle. 

This project is a tangible example of The United Methodist Church’s commitment to creation care and environmental stewardship and represents how general agencies of The United Methodist Church are leaning into their pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 across ministries, facilities, operations, and investments.

Sybil Davidson is Communications Director for the North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church.