What a PCC actually decides
Parish solar is fundamentally a PCC decision. The PCC is the legal authorising body for any works to consecrated CofE buildings and the principal decision-maker for non-CofE buildings via equivalent trustee structures. Across the typical project, the PCC takes four substantive decisions:
1. Authorise a free desk feasibility (low-stakes, no cost). 2. Authorise an on-site survey and formal proposal (low-stakes, free). 3. Vote to proceed with the project, faculty application and grant applications (substantive, but reversible at any time before contract signing). 4. Approve the contract on confirmed faculty and grants (high-stakes, financial commitment).
Most PCCs feel the decision weight at stage 3 — vote-to-proceed. That's right. By then you have a feasibility report, a fixed-price proposal, and a clear sense of grant routes. Faculty preparation begins after the vote.
The three cases for parish solar
Financial case. Most parishes spend £4,000–£15,000 a year on electricity. A typical 15 kW installation offsets £3,000–£8,000 a year of that. Over 25 years that's £75,000–£200,000. With Buildings for Mission and other grants, net capex is usually under £15,000. Payback on net cost is typically 2–6 years.
Carbon case. The Church of England has committed to net zero by 2030 (CofE General Synod 2020). Most dioceses now publish parish-level carbon reporting in the annual return. Parish solar is the single largest single-action contributor for most parishes — typically taking electricity carbon emissions to zero by year one.
Mission case. 'Caring for God's creation' (Genesis 2:15). 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself' (Matthew 22:39). Pope Francis's Laudato Si' for Catholic parishes. The Methodist Church's 'Action for Hope'. Solar PV is a visible, credible witness to creation care that the wider community can see and respect.
Questions PCC members should ask
- What is the parish's annual electricity bill and trajectory?
- What is the diocesan Net Zero plan for this diocese?
- Has the PCC discussed Eco Church registration?
- What is the listing status of the church and hall?
- Does the church have a hall on the same site?
- What is the electrical supply rating (single/three phase)?
- What is the last quinquennial report's view on the roof?
- What is the parish reserves position?
- Who is the diocesan Net Zero Officer (CofE)?
- Is there a member of the congregation with relevant professional expertise (engineering, finance, heritage)?
- What are the practical limits — Sunday-only use, no hall, scheduled ancient monument?
- What does the vicar / minister think?
What PCC Members typically experience
The project pathway from a PCC member's perspective
Month 1: Initial desk feasibility (free, no obligation). PCC reviews report.
Month 2: PCC discussion (typically two meetings). Vote to proceed to on-site survey.
Month 3: On-site survey by structural and electrical engineers. Fixed-price proposal delivered.
Month 4: PCC votes to proceed. Faculty application drafted. Grant applications submitted.
Months 4–7: Faculty consultation, public notice, Chancellor's grant. Grant decisions arrive.
Months 6–9: Contract signed. DNO connection approved.
Months 9–11: Install (typically 1–3 weeks on site). Commissioning. PCC training.
Month 12: Eco Church credit logged. Parish magazine feature. Annual carbon report submitted via parish annual return.
Common PCC Member questions
What if the PCC is divided on whether to proceed?
Common and healthy. The mission case is usually what shifts an undecided PCC — solar is not just a capital project but a witness to creation care. Visiting a comparable install at another parish often unlocks decisions; we can arrange.
Can we proceed without the vicar fully on board?
In our experience, no — projects without vicar support stall. The vicar's spiritual leadership of the case matters at every PCC meeting and at the public notice / parish communication stage. If the vicar has concerns, we're happy to address them directly.
What if the diocese asks us to wait?
Rare but possible if the diocese is running phased rollouts. We'll work with the Diocesan Net Zero Officer to confirm timing. There's no penalty for waiting; grants stay open.
How does this fit with the wider parish strategy?
For most parishes, solar fits within an integrated parish energy strategy: LED lighting (Year 1), tariff switch (Year 1-2), solar PV (Year 2-4), heat pump retrofit on hall (Year 4-7), then full Scope 1 decarbonisation by 2030. See our PCC handbook for the full pathway.
What happens at commissioning?
Switch-on day. Often combined with a Sunday-morning dedication or service blessing. Local press optional. Eco Church credit logged within the first month. Then 25 years of generation, monitoring and savings.