Shrinking the footprint - The Solar PV System

In 2011, and after considerable effort over previous months, the PCC, supported by Melbourne Area Transition group and encouraged by many others too, achieved both planning permission and Diocesan approval to install an electricity generating system on the south aisle and south nave roofs of the church.

The 10 kW solar PV system on our south-facing roofs was installed later that same year, operating and more than meeting the church’s need for electricity. On its first day of operation  – a cloudy and overcast day, it was running at a very encouraging 8 kW and surplus electricity was already being exported to the grid.

This flagship project for the church and community demonstrated vision and foresight, moving the church building into the 21st century (yet without impacting its beauty or heritage), and set a positive example and has freed the church from the tyranny of rising electricity prices.

For more information on the project, please contact Graham Truscott on 01332 862028 or www.melbournetransition.org.

"For the Church of the 21st century, good ecology is not an optional extra but a matter of justice. It is therefore central to what it means to be a Christian". [Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury]

Why not take a look at the Church of England website www.shrinkingthefootprint.org, which discusses the issues and suggests other ways we can all make a difference. Here is a short video from the Archbishops council's youtube section:

To see what Derby Diocese is doing, then click here.