47K UK churches go solar 

With over 47,000 churches in UK, most of which are large, flat, and south facing roofs now catch the sun for interior heat. ChurchCare, the district that facilitates the service and  maintenance of Church of England buildings say that over 376 church owned buildings installed solar panels  and  more are on the way. This number is  above the average solar vs. no-solar rates for domestic buildings. This clean energy trend is making waves across Europe. Although reasons for going green and installing solar panels vary, churches around the UK are eager to install solar and their buildings makes it simpler to install. With gigantic, flat roofs, churches can install panels out of sight  and most of these roofs have been installed within the last century.
 

Churches are generating returns 

Most churches are installing solar panels as part of green programs supporting them to go green with buildings that are receiving  decent returns. One instance, the Melbourne Parish Church, which generated   11,826 euros via the feed-in-tariff since 2011, averaging just under 3,000 euros yearly. This averages to 54,000 euros over 25 years, as the panels originally cost  40,000 euros. PV power is creating income for churches south of England. Churches have a unique position to benefit from  community funding and government grants. This simplifies the financial process to raise funds to cover the cost of solar panels. Many can be installed without damage and out of sight. Churches and parishes have choices for raising funds but must request the English Heritage for approval first. Communities like Eco Church and ChurchCare have programs to assist churches  to afford installing panels. Some installers give deals and provide discounts for churches and church owned buildings.
 

UK churches lead by solar example 

One of the most important reasons churches install solar is to set an  example for the community. ““We were looking for a good environmental project to do, as a kind of showcase of what could be done for the local community, and the roof has a large surface area and is at the right angle to be ideal for solar panels,” says Reverend Dr. Mark Powel of the Melbourne Parish Church. “The fact that you can achieve something like this on a listed building – it encourages other people in the community.” This concept also rings  true in schools. After successful installations prove to generate returns, more installations crop up around the area. The UK’s solar churches have little influence on the country’s green energy production, but they do display a great example. Churches that have solar are generating returns, which can pay the high costs of maintaining historic buildings.

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