Heaven’s Helpers saves money with solar panels

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) — A couple of years ago, a local nonprofit installed a different form of electricity for its facilities.

The idea of installing solar panels was already something being considered by Heaven’s Helpers Soup Cafe.

In 2023, a Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC leadership group helped the nonprofit achieve that, and Heaven’s Helpers says it has reduced electrical bill costs greatly.

“We are saving some months over $500 a month just with the solar panels,” said Mark Meier, founder.

The group, calling themselves Team Solar, created the concept for their leadership project.

“My committee members and I were really taken in by Energy Day, there was a company called Light Spring that talked a lot about solar panels, and then we also really were connected to Mark Meier, who’s so passionate about his ministry and his mission at the Heavens Helpers Soup Cafe,” said Barry Schumaier, member of Team Solar.

Installing these solar panels has also taught the organization how to save even more money.

“There’s peak times for electricity that we’re paying a whole bunch for, and so in doing that, we’ve been able to tailor our cooking in the summertime and save an additional $300 a month on that,” said Meier.

Team Solar hopes to inspire other businesses to pursue renewable energy as a source of electricity.

Copyright 2025 KFYR. All rights reserved.