Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels
There has been quite a lot of discussion nationally on the topic of installing Solar Panels on Churches. The resources listed below are designed to help parishes think about this issue for their churches, buildings subject to faculty jurisdiction and for other buildings belonging to the church.
Recorded Webinar by ChurchCare on Solar Panels (link is CPBO 4 Video Ads V2 - Retirement (youtube.com))
Guidance documents from The Church Buildings Council (CBC)
In March 2023 the CBC updated its Policy and Precedents note to reflect development in policy over solar PV. The note states:
- The CBC supports the use of solar panels on churches.
- The CBC will take account of the carbon payback time when it considers proposals for solar PV. This means that the solar PV should save more in carbon during its warranted lifetime that the carbon produced to manufacture and install it.
- The CBC will not normally support ground mounted solar panels as the panels and associated cables are attractive for theft; in some graveyards ground mounted panels could be too visually dominant.
The guidance notes (below) were issued by the CBC in August 2021. Please note that although The CBC guidance says that faculty permission is needed in every case; however, from 1st July 2022 the installation of photovoltaic panels on a church which is not a listed building or in a conservation area has been brought within the scope of List B - item B1(20).
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels
This Guidance Note (2021) provides a brief introduction to the technology
Solar Panels and Faculty
This Guidance Note (2021) provides a brief guide to help PCCs explore if Solar Panels ae a good choice for their building and how to prepare a good Faculty application