Installation of Solar Panels on Our Roof

A Journey Towards Sustainability and Stewardship 

Phase 2 – Securing Funding and Permits

Completion of Phase 1

During Phase 1 of this project, we looked at whether it was feasible to install solar panels on our roof and whether the benefits would outweigh the costs. At the end of phase 1 it was concluded that solar panels would be a great benefit to the church, they would help us demonstrate that we care about the sustainability and help us offset the large cost of electricity used by a building that sees approximately 3,000 people every week. The Trustees and Eldership of JCC agreed that we should move to the next phase on our journey towards Sustainability and Stewardship.

This involves several key steps:

Preferred Supplier

All the companies that submitted quotes during Phase 1 have been evaluated based on a number of criteria, which included but were not limited to: cost, impact on JCC during the works, qualifications/certification, methodology from a safety perspective and experience of this size of installation.

The preferred supplier has been selected, agreed by Trustees and informed.

Insurance Company Approval

The church’s insurers have several criteria that have to be met so that the installation of solar panels does not invalidate our buildings insurance. All the necessary information has now been supplied for them to approve the installation of solar panels.

Planning Permission Approval

There is the possibility that we will have to have formal planning consent for the project, although it may be deemed permissible development. The local planning office advice is being sought.

Approval of UK Power Networks

Prior to the installation and connection of solar panels to the electricity network we have to seek approval from UK Power Networks to allow us to connect to the grid. Our preferred supplier whose has experience in this process is making the application on our behalf.

Funding the Project

This is a large investment by the church, and it will take a number of years to recoup the costs, therefore we are exploring grant funding to cover as much of the costs as possible. So far, we have researched 29 grant bodies but of these there are only 5 that we may be eligible for. There are also organisations that may be able to provide the funding on a 60/40 basis; 60% loan and 40% grant.

We will continue to investigate and pursue viable solutions to obtain as much as possible via grants. Final decisions on what would be acceptable will be taken by the Trustees prior to any agreements being signed for loans.

Installation

During this phase we have also looked at a longer-term aspect of having solar panels installed and that is access to the roof for maintenance. An option presented to us by our supplier was the installation of a permanent barrier around the roof and permanent access to the roof. This would make the installation safer and quicker but also enable easy access afterwards for maintenance and any other work that requires access to the roof.

Conclusion

The project for installing solar panels on our roof is moving forward and subject to obtaining the necessary approvals and funding Jubilee Community Church is moving towards sustainability and a noticeable reduction in our costs for electricity.

There is not yet a date forecast for installation, but progress is being made.

 

Dave Pennington