The Diocese of Canterbury is the primatial see of the Anglican Communion. Around 260 parishes across East Kent. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop of the Church of England and an international Anglican leader. Canterbury Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Diocese of Canterbury at a glance
- Bishop
- Archbishop Justin Welby
- Coverage
- East Kent
- Parishes
- ~260 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Sheila Cameron KC
- Capital programme
- Canterbury Diocese Environment Grants
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £22,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Canterbury Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mother Church of the Anglican Communion)
- St Martin's Canterbury (oldest church in England in continuous use)
- Rochester Cathedral (overlapping diocese)
- St Mary's Folkestone
- Margate St John the Baptist
Funding stack for Canterbury parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Canterbury combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Canterbury Diocese Environment Grants | Up to £22,000 | 35-55% |
| Buildings for Mission (CofE national) | £10,000-£50,000 | 40-60% |
| Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme | 20% of capex | 20% |
| Kent Solar Together community-buying scheme | Bulk-buying discount | 5-15% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Canterbury
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Canterbury, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Sheila Cameron KC, on the advice of the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC). For a well-prepared solar application, the typical timescale from PCC resolution to faculty grant is 10-18 weeks for non-listed and Grade II buildings, extending to 18-26 weeks for Grade II* and Grade I where Historic England consultation is required.
We have prepared faculty applications across the Diocese of Canterbury and know the DAC office, diocesan architect, and Net Zero Officer personally. See our 2026 PCC guide to faculty jurisdiction for the full process, or our faculty application service page for our delivery approach.
Cities and towns covered in the Diocese of Canterbury
We deliver across the East Kent footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Canterbury parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Canterbury, PCC-ready report inside 7 working days
- On-site survey — structural and electrical engineers; engagement with diocesan architect
- Faculty application — Statement of Significance, Statement of Needs, DAC consultation, representation at chancery
- Grant applications — Canterbury Diocese Environment Grants, Buildings for Mission, Listed Places of Worship VAT scheme
- Install and commission — typically 1-3 weeks on site, with full PCC training and monitoring active
- Post-commissioning — Eco Church credit logged, parish magazine feature, annual carbon report
Common questions — Diocese of Canterbury parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Canterbury have?
Approximately 260 parishes across East Kent.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Canterbury?
Sheila Cameron KC grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Canterbury has committed to net zero by 2030, in line with (or ahead of) the Church of England's national 2030 General Synod commitment.
What grant funding is available for Canterbury parish solar?
The principal route is the Canterbury Diocese Environment Grants, with awards up to £22,000. This combines with national Buildings for Mission grants, the Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme, and charitable trust funding to typically cover 50-100% of capex.
How long does a faculty application take in the Diocese of Canterbury?
For a well-prepared solar faculty application, 10-18 weeks for non-listed and Grade II buildings; longer for Grade II* and Grade I where Historic England consultation is required.