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Let there be light – solar panels installed at Chester Cathedral

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Chester is now home to the first cathedral in the north of England to install solar panels on its roof.

The Grade I listed building joins Gloucester and Salisbury cathedrals, which also have solar panels – but the panels in Chester use a unique design which means they sit on the roof rather than being fixed to it.

The scheme is part of efforts to reduce the amount of carbon generated on site and help reduce bills, following news that the cathedral’s energy costs have risen by 40% in the last two years.

Chester Cathedral’s new roof-mounted solar panels were positioned on several of the South Transept and Nave roofs in summer 2022.

In total, more than 200 solar panels have been installed and these now generate almost a quarter of the overall energy consumption of the building.

Church leaders say this will help contribute towards the Church of England’s aim of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

 

 

Nantwich based firm Carbon Control Limited oversaw the work – which included arranging for equipment to be craned onto the cathedral roof..

The company also had to work to strict listed building requirements and carefully consider where the solar panels were positioned to maximise the amount of electricity produced.

Dean of Chester, V Rev Dr Tim Stratford said: “Chester Cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of Chester and is determined to be responsible and set a good example.

“For us, sustainability includes ensuring that we are doing everything we can to reduce our carbon footprint and lessen our negative impact on our planet, and reduced costs mean we can fund the essential work carried out on our magnificent cathedral.

“The installation of solar panels on the roof will achieve both aims, in reducing the amount of fossil fuels burnt to power our building, and in the longer-term reducing the cost required to provide this fuel.”

As they are part of the cathedral fabric, the solar panels received a joint blessing by V Rev Dr Tim Stratford and Bishop of Chester Mark Tanner on Friday 27th January.

 

 

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