The Diocese of Guildford covers most of Surrey and parts of north-east Hampshire, with around 165 parishes across an affluent commuter-belt and rural Surrey hills. Guildford Cathedral is the most recent English cathedral (consecrated 1961).
The Diocese of Guildford at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Andrew Watson
- Coverage
- Most of Surrey and parts of north-east Hampshire
- Parishes
- ~165 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Andrew Jordan
- Capital programme
- Guildford Diocese Net Zero Programme
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £22,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Guildford Cathedral (newest English cathedral, consecrated 1961)
- Holy Trinity Guildford
- Woking Christ Church
- Farnham St Andrew's
- Compton St Nicholas (Norman)
Funding stack for Guildford parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Guildford combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Guildford Diocese Net Zero Programme | 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% |
| Surrey Community Foundation grants | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Guildford
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Guildford, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Andrew Jordan, 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 Guildford 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 Guildford
We deliver across the Most of Surrey and parts of north-east Hampshire footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Guildford parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Guildford, 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 — Guildford Diocese Net Zero Programme, 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 Guildford parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Guildford have?
Approximately 165 parishes across Most of Surrey and parts of north-east Hampshire.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Guildford?
Andrew Jordan grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Guildford 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 Guildford parish solar?
The principal route is the Guildford Diocese Net Zero Programme, 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 Guildford?
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.