The Diocese of Sheffield covers South Yorkshire with around 170 parishes — among the more compact CofE dioceses by parish count. The Environment Action Plan supports parish solar with strong integration with the Sheffield City Region energy hub and broader industrial decarbonisation context across the South Yorkshire conurbation.
The Diocese of Sheffield at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Pete Wilcox
- Coverage
- South Yorkshire, parts of North Lincolnshire
- Parishes
- ~170 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Andrew Jordan
- Capital programme
- Sheffield Diocese Environment Action Plan grants
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £20,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Sheffield Cathedral
- Doncaster Minster (St George's, Sir Gilbert Scott)
- St Marie's Cathedral RC Sheffield
- Ranmoor St John
- Rotherham Minster
Funding stack for Sheffield parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Sheffield combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Sheffield Diocese Environment grants | Up to £20,000 | 35-55% |
| Buildings for Mission (CofE national) | £10,000-£50,000 | 40-60% |
| Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme | 20% of capex | 20% |
| SCR Energy Hub SME support | Advisory + occasional grant | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Sheffield
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Sheffield, 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 Sheffield 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 Sheffield
We deliver across the South Yorkshire, parts of North Lincolnshire footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Sheffield parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Sheffield, 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 — Sheffield 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 Sheffield parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Sheffield have?
Approximately 170 parishes across South Yorkshire, parts of North Lincolnshire.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Sheffield?
Andrew Jordan grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Sheffield 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 Sheffield parish solar?
The principal route is the Sheffield Diocese Environment Action Plan grants, with awards up to £20,000. 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 Sheffield?
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.