The Diocese of Sodor and Man covers the Isle of Man — the smallest CofE diocese with around 30 parishes serving the island's 85,000 residents. The diocese is unique constitutionally: the Bishop of Sodor and Man sits in the Manx Tynwald (parliament) by right of office. Manx Government renewable energy grants supplement UK Buildings for Mission funding.
The Diocese of Sodor and Man at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Peter Eagles
- Coverage
- Isle of Man
- Parishes
- ~30 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Clare Faulds
- Capital programme
- Manx Government renewable energy grants
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £15,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- St German's Cathedral Peel
- Cathedral Isle of Man (Anglican)
- Kirk Maughold (Celtic Christian heritage site)
- Castletown St Mary
- Douglas Cathedral Old Church
Funding stack for Sodor and Man parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Sodor and Man combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Manx Government renewable energy grants | Up to £15,000 | 30-50% |
| Buildings for Mission (CofE national) | £10,000-£50,000 | 40-60% |
| Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme (UK-applicable) | 20% of capex | 20% |
| Manx National Heritage Fund | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Sodor and Man
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Sodor and Man, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Clare Faulds, 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 Sodor and Man 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 Sodor and Man
We deliver across the Isle of Man footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Sodor and Man parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Sodor and Man, 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 — Manx Government renewable energy 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 Sodor and Man parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Sodor and Man have?
Approximately 30 parishes across Isle of Man.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Sodor and Man?
Clare Faulds grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Sodor and Man 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 Sodor and Man parish solar?
The principal route is the Manx Government renewable energy grants, with awards up to £15,000. 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 Sodor and Man?
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.
Related dioceses and resources
RELATED DIOCESES