Solar Power for Churches

Churches and places of worship can benefit enormously from the installation of solar power systems in many ways:

• Significant energy cost savings
• Valuable income generation through government funding
• Strong visual statement of environmental credentials
• It's a valuable educational tool
• Promote your church as a green environment
• Secured hedge against increasing energy rates

It‘s not only the Churches and Places of Worship that benefit... It's the congregations, the staff, the children and the visitors...And you reduce your carbon footprint.

Grants, Funding & Cashback

There are three types of government funding and several types of private church funding...

Pro SolarPower Ltd is an MCS Government Accredited company which means that your organisation is entitled to the latest government grants including:

• The "Feed-in tariff" or "Energy Cash Back Scheme"
• The Renewable Heat Incentive
• Private Church funding

Below we explain exactly how the different types of funding works. Please call our dedicated funding team to find out more.

The "Feed-in tariff" or "Energy Cash Back Scheme"

From April 2010 churches and places of worship who install solar electric systems will be paid a substantial rate for all of the electricity they generate.

The payments are guaranteed by law for 25 years and the payments will rise with inflation

A portion of the generated electricity from your system will be used by the church. The remainder of the electricity from your system will be exported to the National Electricity Grid.
Solar Power systems, under the current Energy Cash Back Scheme, are guaranteed for 25 years and are inflation linked so they will always deliver a return on investment; usually within 10 years.

The DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change) has further information.

To read more about the DECC Feed in Tariff - Click Here

The Renewable Heat Incentive

A new government incentive called the "Renewable Heat Incentive" starts April 2011.The incentive will be launched to meet the UK's 2020 EU 15% renewable energy target for solar hot water systems.

Providing your system is installed by an MCS accredited company and was installed after the July 15th 2009 you will be able to claim this incentive.

The Renewable Heat Incentive tariffs are paid based on the volume of heat your system will output.

The DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change) has further information.

To read more about the DECC Grants - Click Here

Private Church Funding

The following four organisations provide help and advice in locating funding for churches.

Each organisation has its own rules and regulations about lending, funding and helping.

• 1. E.ON Sustainable Energy Fund
• 2. The Churches and Community Fund (CCF)
• 3. The National Churches Trust

The below is a brief overview of each organisation and is by no means a guarantee that they will or can help your church; it is merely intended as an umbrella overview of the organisation available to assist.

Pro SolarPower has a dedicated Grants Manager who liaises with many grant and funding organisation and we will be happy to assist you with any questions you may have.

1. E.ON Sustainable Energy Fund - A resource set up by E.ON to provide information and funding for community projects. On the website you will be able to access information about energy efficiency, micro-generation and other low carbon measures that you can implement in your community building. As part of their community investment work they have developed a fund which offers financial opportunities to community groups and not for profit organisations that wish to pursue and implement sustainable energy measures. The fund can grant up to £20,000 and can fund anything from insulation measures to a wind turbine. They are now accepting applications for two rounds of funding. The first closes on the 2 April and the second closes on the 8 October.
Web: www.eon-uk.com/about/sustainableenergyfund.aspx

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

2. The Churches and Community Fund (CCF) gives grants to community projects run by parish churches, deaneries, dioceses and other bodies connected to or working in partnership with the Church of England. Typical projects supported by the CCF might include employing a youth worker, renovating an old church hall for use as a community centre or providing hot meals for the homeless in a church room. We welcome applications which show imagination in responding to needs. The CCF awards over £500,000 in grants every year. All CCF grants seek to take the church out into the community, bring the community into the church and strengthen the relationship between the two. Please address any enquiries and send completed application forms to: The Church and Community Fund (CCF), Church House, Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3NZ. Tel: 020 7898 1767 or 020 7898 1541

3. The National Churches Trust aims to protect and support the built heritage of churches, chapels and meeting houses throughout the UK. Applicant churches can be of any denomination or be members of an umbrella body belonging to Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. Repair grants are for both listed and unlisted churches, chapels and meeting houses of any age, as long as they are open for public worship. Funding is available for structural repairs essential to safeguard the fabric of the building that will cost more than £40,000. Before you complete an application, it is important to make sure your project is eligible by checking that you meet the following criteria:

1. The building must be open for regular public worship.
2. It must be sited in England, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, Scotland or Wales.
3. The congregation must belong to a denomination that is a member or associated member of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.
4. All projects must be overseen by an architect who is either ARB, RIBA or AABC accredited, or by a chartered surveyor who is RICS accredited. Repair Grants: Grants of £10,000 and above for structural repair projects that will cost more than £50,000.

A structural repair means essential work to safeguard the fabric of the building. Right click to download the application pack and guidance notes. Community Grants: Grants from £2,500 to £25,000 for providing facilities that will benefit your place of worship and local community, e.g. accessible toilets, kitchens and meeting rooms.

Grants will not exceed 50% of the project cost. Right click to download the application pack and guidance notes. Should you have any queries about your application, please take a look at the FAQ page for a list of commonly asked questions and answers. If you cannot find an answer to your question, you can email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call us on 020 7600 6090. The National Churches Trust, 31 Newbury Street, London, EC1A 7HU

We hope that you find this guide useful. Please do not hesitate to contact us and speak to our Grants Manager who will be happy to assist you.

Why choose Pro SolarPower Ltd...

Pro SolarPower Ltd interacts and works with your organisation throughout six key stages:

• Feasibility study & ROI
• Accessing and raising funding
• System design, specification and project management
• Installation and commissioning
• Handover - functionality and operation of the system
• Ongoing support

Pro SolarPower Ltd is an MCS Government Accredited company which means that your organisation is entitled to the latest government grants. We provide the latest government approved technologies at competitive rates.

Is it time to have your very own power station...Is it time to be your own energy supplier....Is it time to be a pioneer in your area?