The Diocese of Manchester was one of the earliest CofE adopters of structured parish solar programming, with an active Net Zero Capital Fund and over 90 Eco Church-registered parishes. The diocese covers the Greater Manchester city region — among the UK's most active commercial decarbonisation contexts thanks to GMCA Local Net Zero Hub support and the Manchester Climate Change Framework.
The Diocese of Manchester at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop David Walker
- Coverage
- Greater Manchester, parts of Lancashire
- Parishes
- ~280 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Geoffrey Tattersall KC
- Capital programme
- Diocese of Manchester Net Zero Capital Fund
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £30,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Manchester Cathedral
- St Ann's Church Manchester
- Holy Name of Jesus (RC)
- Albert Hall (former Methodist Central Hall)
- Bury Parish Church
Funding stack for Manchester parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Manchester combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Diocese of Manchester Net Zero Capital Fund | £10,000-£30,000 | 40-60% |
| Buildings for Mission (CofE national) | £10,000-£50,000 | 40-60% |
| Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme | 20% of capex | 20% |
| GMCA Local Net Zero Hub support | Advisory + occasional grant | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Manchester
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Manchester, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Geoffrey Tattersall 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 Manchester 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 Manchester
We deliver across the Greater Manchester, parts of Lancashire footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Manchester parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Manchester, 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 — Diocese of Manchester Net Zero Capital Fund, 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 Manchester parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Manchester have?
Approximately 280 parishes across Greater Manchester, parts of Lancashire.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Manchester?
Geoffrey Tattersall KC grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Manchester 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 Manchester parish solar?
The principal route is the Diocese of Manchester Net Zero Capital Fund, with awards up to £30,000. 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 Manchester?
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.