West Sussex village church thrilled with new 'invisible' energy system powered by the sun
A West Sussex village church is now being powered by the sun, thanks to a new renewable-energy system installed on part of its roof.
St Peter and St Paul Church in Rustington already has a Bronze Eco Church Award and it hopes its new solar panels will help move it up to Silver.
Project manager Charlie Sims said it had been a long time coming, with two years of planning and the long wait for permissions, but Littlehampton firm CC Solar had stuck with them from the start and had now completed the work.
Charlie said: “The whole of the church is going to be powered invisibly. We are thrilled that the installation has finally begun. This has been a long journey involving many people, a great deal of planning and considerable patience.
“We believe this investment reflects our responsibility to care for God's creation, whilst helping to ensure that our church remains financially and environmentally sustainable for future generations."
CC Solar founder Trevor Waller, whose parents were married at St Peter and St Paul, said it had been an interesting job, involving drilling through a wall that was one metre thick.
He explained: “Whatever solar you have got is going to go to the church, then to the battery and if there is anything left over, it will go into the grid, which they will get paid for. In the winter, you can power the battery at the cheaper times and then use the energy during the day.”
Work began on October 19 and the solar photovoltaic (PV) system was turned on on October 22. A total of 39 solar panels have been installed on the flat roof on the south side of the church, with battery storage in a room inside, protected by fire doors.
Charlie said: “We are generating renewable electricity for the church and helping to reduce both our carbon footprint and long-term energy costs. The project is part of our commitment to environmental stewardship and the Church of England's Net Zero ambitions.
“The panels have been installed in a manner that preserves the appearance and heritage of this important Grade II listed building. This represents a significant investment in the future sustainability of our church.
“This project reflects our belief that caring for creation is an important part of our Christian faith. As a church, we have been keen to play our part in addressing environmental challenges and to demonstrate practical leadership within the local community by embracing renewable energy.”
The journey has not been straightforward, involving detailed surveys, consultation and design revisions before planning permission was granted by Arun District Council. The project then needed diocesan approval through the Church of England faculty process.
Vicar, the Rev Natalie Bawcutt, said: "I am hugely grateful to all those who have been involved in carefully putting this project together. We are so fortunate to have a wonderful, flexible church building that we can use for worship and to host community events.
“It is very exciting to finally see the solar panels being installed and we hope others will see what is possible and, in whatever way we each can, make changes to safeguard creation for future generations."
The church is grateful for the encouragement and support it has received from a number of people and organisations during the process, including Rustington parish councillor Alison Cooper and Littlehampton MP Alison Griffiths. Charlie said they had been supportive of the church's efforts to invest in renewable energy and reduce its environmental impact.
The church selected CC Solar following a competitive quotation process. The company has extensive experience, dating back 14 years, and it offered the best combination of value, capacity and local expertise.
Charlie said: “They have been phenomenal. Importantly, the entire project is being funded through church funds, with no cost falling on taxpayers or parishioners through additional charges.
“The Parochial Church Council approved the project and the associated expenditure as part of its commitment to securing a more sustainable future for the church.
“The church hopes that the project will not only reduce energy costs and carbon emissions but also demonstrate that historic buildings can successfully embrace modern, environmentally responsible technologies while respecting their heritage.”