Selkirk Parish Church Installs Solar Panels

Members of the Eco-Congregation board met with David Bethune of Selkirk Parish Church on Monday to look at their solar pv (photo voltaic) installation. This generates power which is used within the building with excess being sold back to the grid. The system is rated at 7.2Kw and was generating 4.3 during the visit just as clouds started to come over.

The church building is a category B listed building and listed buildings permission was required.

One of the ideas behind the project was that the solar panels would be a public statement to the town that the church is concerned about these issues. The congregation is keen to be a leader in the local community on environmental issues and is considering how best to redevelop their church hall. It is also not a wealthy congregation, so it shows what can be achieved with enough determination.

Some photographs from the visit:

Here is a summary of the project:

Location: Selkirk Parish Church, High Street, Selkirk, TD7 4JX
Contractor: Sundog Energy, Fairfield House, North Lakes Business Park, Penrith CA11 0BT (and local scaffolding and electrical contractors)

Initial: 
planning permission obtained   11/11/09
listed building permission obtained 11/11/09
approval of General Trustees (through Presbytery)

Design:
40 Romag Powerglaz 180Wp PV modules
coverage 53.5 sq.metres
total capacity 7.2kWp
(almost) south-facing roof, with no shading

Output:
estimated 5,575 Units per annum
= £2012 feed-in tariff income
+ £150 export tarrif

Savings:
estimate 1,500 Units per annum
= £225 reduction in electricity costs

Costs:
Sundog (design, modules, installation) £30,963
Scaffolding £1,800
Electrical works £950
Roof preparation £3784
Total £37,497

Funding:
LCBP2e £17,796
General Trustees loan £14,000
own resources £5,700