Reducing energy costs while improving environmental performance was a key priority for Salisbury United Reformed Church, a Grade II listed church in the centre of Salisbury.
As an Eco Church with a Bronze Award, the church was already committed to reducing its environmental impact. Installing solar panels offered an opportunity to lower electricity costs while supporting its ambition to work towards a Silver Eco Church Award.
After seeing the solar installation ProStar Energy had completed for another Salisbury church, the team approached us to explore what could be achieved at their own building.
The result was a carefully designed solar PV and battery storage system that respected the church's listed status, caused minimal disruption to its day-to-day activities and has since delivered significant savings on electricity costs.
Challenges and Solutions
Installing Solar Panels on a Grade II Listed Church
Installing solar panels on a listed church requires careful consideration. Salisbury United Reformed Church wanted to generate more of its own renewable electricity without significantly affecting the appearance or character of the building.
This meant the system needed to be designed around both energy performance and the visual impact of the panels.
Other quotations the church received proposed approximately twice as many solar panels and did not include battery storage. ProStar Energy took a different approach, designing a solution that would meet the church's requirements while keeping the installation as unobtrusive as possible.
The process also required engagement with the relevant listed-building representatives. The team from ProStar Energy attended a meeting at the church with the Synod Listed Buildings Advisory Committee, supporting the church through the process and helping address the considerations surrounding the proposed solar installation.
A Straightforward Solar Consultation and Design Process
For a church committee considering an investment in renewable energy, having clear information from the outset was particularly important.
According to Ray Krather, Treasurer of Salisbury United Reformed Church, the quotation process was straightforward and transparent, with questions answered quickly throughout the project.
ProStar Energy supported the church from the initial discussions through to installation and final handover, providing the information required to help the church make an informed decision.
At the end of the installation, the church received a detailed handover pack covering the completed system and its operation.
Minimising Disruption to Church Activities
Salisbury United Reformed Church is an active community building, so installation work needed to take place without unnecessarily interrupting the activities happening inside.
Once the scaffolding was in place, the installation progressed quickly. It took only a couple of days from the solar panels being fitted to the roof to the system being connected to the church's electricity supply.
The ProStar Energy installation team worked efficiently throughout the building, allowing normal activities to continue.
As Ray explained in his testimonial:
“The team worked very efficiently in the building and did not disturb anybody. Even the lunch club carried on as normal.”
Supporting the Church's Environmental Commitments
Reducing electricity costs was one of the main reasons Salisbury United Reformed Church chose to invest in solar energy, but sustainability was equally important.
The church currently holds a Bronze Eco Church Award and identified the installation of solar panels, alongside other energy-saving measures, as an important step towards achieving its environmental objectives and progressing towards a Silver Award.
Generating renewable electricity onsite allows the church to reduce its reliance on electricity purchased from the grid while demonstrating its wider commitment to responsible environmental stewardship.
Easier Energy Monitoring with Solar Battery Storage
Following installation, the church can monitor its electricity consumption and solar energy performance through an app on a smartphone.
Having easy access to this information gives the church greater visibility over how energy is being generated and used throughout the building.
The inclusion of solar battery storage also allows more of the renewable electricity generated by the panels to be retained for use when it is needed, rather than relying solely on electricity generated at the exact point of consumption.
Key Results
The solar panel installation has provided Salisbury United Reformed Church with several important benefits:
- Reduced electricity costs since installation
- Savings that can be redirected into other church projects
- Solar panels designed to remain unobtrusive on a Grade II listed building
- Battery storage included as part of the solar energy solution
- Minimal disruption to church activities during installation
- A quick installation once scaffolding was erected
- Smartphone monitoring of electricity consumption and solar generation
- Support throughout the listed-building consultation process
- A detailed system handover pack following completion
- Progress towards the church's wider environmental and Eco Church objectives
Turning Energy Savings into Support for the Church
For Salisbury United Reformed Church, the value of the solar installation extends beyond reducing its electricity bills.
Since the system was installed, the church has already noticed considerable savings on its energy costs. Those savings can instead be used to support other projects and activities within the church.
Ray Krather, Treasurer of Salisbury United Reformed Church, said:
“Since installation, we've noticed big savings on our energy costs, and we've been able to use those savings to fund other projects within the church.”
He added:
“Our whole church membership is delighted with the outcome and will recommend ProStar to anyone.”
For churches and religious organisations facing rising running costs, solar PV can provide an opportunity to take greater control of energy expenditure while supporting long-term sustainability goals.
Considering Solar Panels for Your Church?
Installing solar panels on a church, listed building or other place of worship requires a solution designed around the individual property.
ProStar Energy works with churches and religious buildings to assess energy consumption, building constraints and available roof space before recommending an appropriate solar PV and battery storage system.
If your church is considering solar panels and would like to understand the potential savings, book a free property survey with ProStar Energy or call 03316 302 225 to discuss your requirements.
