Gloucester DAC

Photovoltaic Panels and Solar Thermal applications

Informal advice should be obtained for all such proposals as a first step. English Heritage have produced some useful guidance in relation to solar installations on historic buildings, and these can be downloaded as follows:

Small-scale solar electric energy and traditional buildings -

Small-scale solar thermal energy and traditional buildings -

The DAC share English Heritage’s view that attaching solar panels or other equipmentto the most visible parts of an historic building is notsympathetic to its appearance. For this reason solar installations should generally only be proposed in unobtrusive locations, such as hidden roof valleys or behind substantial parapets.

Planning permission will be needed for the installation of solar PV or solar thermal onto a church or within its churchyard. Consent should be sought from the local authority before applying to the DAC, in order to ensure that a wide range of issues including wildlife (Bats) and landscape considerations, have been taken into account at an early stage.

For consideration for a DAC Certificate when proposals have been finalised, parishes should submit TWO copies of the following:-

  • Statement of significance making clear what impact the proposed solar installation will have on the particular significance of your church.
  • Statement of need. This should include evidence that other energy-saving measures have been considered or other proposed locations with less impact on the historic fabric and the special interest have been considered and are not viable.
  • Annotated drawings or photographs showing where the new panels and associated equipment are to be positioned (both internally and externally).
  • Detailed drawings to show the methods for fixing the panels and associated equipment including full cable and pipe routes, and making clear where any alteration needs to be made to the fabric of the building.
  • Specification or quotation giving full details of the equipment, and how it is to be installed. Quotations should ideally be provided from an MCS approved supplier, as this will be necessary for the church to gain from the Feed-in-Tariff.
  • Confirmation from a suitably qualified professional that the roof structure can carry the additional weight of the equipment where this is a self-weighted installation.
  • Copies of planning consents from the Local Planning Authority should be provided.

Jonathan MacKechnie-Jarvis

Gloucester DAC Secretary - March 2011