Heritage Lottery Funding for Churches and Grade II Listed Buildings: Can Solar Panels Be Included?

Historic churches and listed buildings across the UK are facing rising energy costs, ageing infrastructure and increasing pressure to become more sustainable. Many trustees, church committees and heritage property owners are now asking the same question:

Can Heritage Lottery Funding help pay for commercial solar panels on historic buildings?

The short answer is: potentially, yes.

At Prostar Energy, we work with organisations looking to reduce energy costs while protecting heritage assets. Here’s a clear breakdown of what the National Lottery Heritage Fund supports, and whether solar PV installations on churches and Grade II listed buildings could qualify.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is one of the UK’s largest funders of heritage projects. It supports projects that preserve, improve and protect heritage while helping communities engage with historic places.

According to the fund’s official guidance, heritage can include:

• Historic buildings
• Churches and places of worship
• Conservation projects
• Community heritage initiatives
• Historic landscapes
• Museums, archives and cultural spaces

The fund supports projects ranging from small community improvements to major restoration programmes.

Yes.

Churches, cathedrals and places of worship are regularly funded through the Heritage Fund, especially where projects help preserve historic buildings or improve community use.

Many church buildings in the UK are listed structures with significant heritage value. Funding applications are often stronger when they demonstrate:

• Preservation of the building
• Community engagement
• Improved accessibility
• Environmental sustainability
• Long-term building viability

Churches that serve as community hubs may be particularly well positioned for funding support.

Yes.

The Heritage Fund specifically supports projects involving historic buildings and the wider historic environment.

This includes:

• Grade II listed buildings
• Grade II* listed buildings
• Grade I listed properties
• Historic public buildings
• Community heritage assets

Projects involving repairs, conservation and sustainable improvements may all fall within eligible categories if they contribute to protecting the heritage asset.

This is where things become more specific.

The Heritage Fund does not explicitly advertise “solar panel grants.” However, the guidance confirms that funding can support:

• Repairs and conservation
• Sustainability improvements
• Long-term preservation of heritage assets
• Professional fees and project delivery costs

If a solar installation forms part of a wider heritage conservation or sustainability project, there is a realistic possibility it could be included within an application.

The key point is this:

The solar project must support the long-term future and sustainability of the heritage building.

For example:

• Reducing operational costs for a church
• Improving building sustainability
• Supporting community use through lower energy bills
• Helping preserve the building for future generations

These outcomes can align with the Heritage Fund’s investment principles.

The official guidance confirms funding can be used for:

• Repairs and conservation
• Professional fees
• New staff posts
• Community engagement activities
• Digital outputs
• Training and skills development

What We Fund - National Lottery Heritage Fund

While solar PV systems are not directly listed, energy-efficiency measures connected to heritage preservation are commonly included in wider conservation projects.

Installing commercial solar panels on churches or listed buildings usually requires:

• Listed Building Consent
• Planning approval
• Heritage impact assessments
• Careful system design

Local authorities and conservation officers will assess:

• Visual impact
• Roof positioning
• Reversibility of installation
• Protection of historic fabric

This is why specialist design and heritage-sensitive installation are essential.

At Prostar Energy, we help heritage organisations explore solar solutions that balance sustainability with conservation requirements.

Potentially, yes.

Some Heritage Fund programmes can support up to 100% of eligible project costs, depending on:

• Project size
• Organisation type
• Community benefit
• Heritage significance
• Funding programme criteria

However, match funding may still strengthen some applications.

It’s important to understand that approval is competitive and based on how well the project aligns with Heritage Fund objectives.

(NB. Funding application fee may apply)

Projects are generally more successful when they clearly demonstrate:

Heritage Protection

How the work preserves the building for future generations.

Community Benefit

How local people will benefit from the project.

Sustainability

How the building becomes more financially and environmentally sustainable.

Public Engagement

How people will learn about or engage with the heritage asset.

For churches, combining restoration works with renewable energy improvements can create a compelling long-term sustainability case.

At Prostar Energy, we support churches, charities and heritage property owners with:

• Commercial solar feasibility studies
• Heritage-sensitive solar design
• Energy-saving assessments
• Support documentation for planning and funding
• Commercial solar installation for historic buildings

We understand the challenges involved in upgrading heritage properties while preserving their character and significance.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund does support churches and listed buildings, and in some cases, solar panel installations may form part of a wider funded heritage project.

The strongest applications are those that show how renewable energy improvements help secure the long-term future of the building while benefiting the wider community.

For churches and heritage organisations facing rising energy costs, solar could become an important part of preserving historic buildings for generations to come.