The Diocese of Exeter covers Devon and the Isles of Scilly with around 450 parishes — many in rural single-handed benefices. The Environment Action Plan supports parish renewables with Buildings for Mission integration, and the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport offers Enhanced Capital Allowances for projects within designated zones.
The Diocese of Exeter at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Robert Atwell
- Coverage
- Devon and the Isles of Scilly
- Parishes
- ~450 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Sir Andrew McFarlane
- Capital programme
- Exeter Diocese Environment Action Plan grants
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £22,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Exeter Cathedral
- Plymouth Cathedral (RC)
- St Andrew's Plymouth (Mother Church of Plymouth)
- Crediton Holy Cross
- Tiverton St Peter's
Funding stack for Exeter parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Exeter combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Exeter 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% |
| Plymouth & South Devon Freeport ECA | Tax relief | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Exeter
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Exeter, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Sir Andrew McFarlane, 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 Exeter 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 Exeter
We deliver across the Devon and the Isles of Scilly footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Exeter parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Exeter, 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 — Exeter Diocese Environment Action Plan 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 Exeter parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Exeter have?
Approximately 450 parishes across Devon and the Isles of Scilly.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Exeter?
Sir Andrew McFarlane grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Exeter 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 Exeter parish solar?
The principal route is the Exeter Diocese Environment Action Plan 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 Exeter?
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.