Solar Panels for Churches and Church Halls

Can a church have solar panels?

The Church of England's guidance is encouraging. It says the reversibility of solar installations and the urgency of the climate crisis mean "solar panels could be appropriate in many situations", and that "there is no reason that a well-presented application which follows the guidance set out in this note should not be granted a faculty" (Solar panels and faculty guidance).

It also asks parishes to check four things first:

• Have the basics been dealt with?. Solar should be part of a package, after draught proofing, LED lighting and a watertight roof
• Is the roof sound?. Panels need a secure base; if the roof needs major repairs, do them first or in the same scaffold
• Is the roof suitable?. An unshaded stretch, ideally south facing, though east or west can work; a flat roof is well suited
• Is enough energy used?. Panels generate in daylight, so match the output to when the church and its halls use power

The Church's net zero guide sets out the other steps to take alongside solar (practical path to net zero).

Faculty permission and the diocese

Source: Lists A and B. When applying, the rules ask parishes to explain how they have had regard to the Church's net zero guidance. Talk to your diocesan church buildings team or the Diocesan Advisory Committee early. Other denominations have their own permission systems, so ask your denomination's property or buildings team.

Planning is separate. The guidance says that because panels are an external change, "it is likely that planning permission will be required in addition to a faculty" (guidance). Our guide to planning permission covers the national rules.

Listed churches and roofs

For historic and listed churches, the Church strongly advises using a conservation accredited architect or surveyor to prepare the application. Its guidance says visibility "is not intrinsically harmful to significance", but visibility on a listed building means a stronger case is needed, and "where the roof itself contributes greatly to the significance of the building, there is a presumption against solar installations" (guidance).

• Hidden roof slopes and valleys. Panels not visible from the ground are likely to be acceptable if the application follows the guidance
• The hall, vestry or other buildings. A later or unlisted building on the site may be a simpler roof
• The ground. A small array elsewhere on the site, where planning allows; see ground-mounted solar
• Shading from the tower or trees. Can be handled with module-level electronics, at some extra cost

Fire safety matters on heritage buildings: the insurers' code says a historic building may need extra fire protection measures, identified in advance. See fire risk and insurance and ground-mounted solar.

Daytime use and the buildings next door

A church used mostly on Sunday mornings and some evenings uses little of what panels make on a weekday. The Church's guidance says to understand the usage pattern and match the generation to it, and that spare electricity can be exported, used by the local community, or stored in batteries (guidance). A hall used by nurseries, clubs and groups through the week, a school next door or a parish office often makes the case. A survey looks at the meters and how each building is used before anyone designs a system. Our page on charities and community buildings covers shared use and community ownership.

Funding, VAT and grants for churches

• VAT. HMRC's zero rate covers buildings used solely for a relevant charitable purpose (use by a charity otherwise than in the course of a business, or as a village hall or similar) until 31 March 2027, then 5%; a building also used for business is standard-rated
• Community energy funding. Great British Energy's Community Fund offers grants for eligible community energy projects in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; in Scotland, Local Energy Scotland's CARES programmes
• Your diocese or denomination. Some run their own schemes or buying arrangements; ask the buildings team
• EPC. GOV.UK lists places of worship among buildings that do not need an EPC

Sources: HMRC Notice 708/6, Great British Energy, GOV.UK EPCs. See also VAT on solar panels and solar grants.