Solar Panels on a Church Roof in Godstone, Surrey (RH9)
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The Sunbright Energy team recently completed a 9.3kW solar and battery installation at St Stephen’s Church in Godstone, Surrey, demonstrating how churches, community facilities and other non-residential buildings can also benefit from generating their own electricity.
With annual electricity consumption of approximately 10,999kWh, this building had a significant opportunity to reduce the amount of electricity it needed to purchase directly from the grid.
The completed system combines 20 Aiko solar panels, a Fox ESS H3 Smart three-phase hybrid inverter and 11.5kWh of Fox ESS battery storage.
Together, the system is expected to generate approximately 7,152kWh of clean electricity every year, with the potential to significantly reduce both the church’s electricity costs and its reliance on grid energy.
Let’s dive into this full project:
System Size
Solar Generation
Total Savings
Project Overview
Location: Godstone, Surrey, RH9
Solar Array Size: 9.3kW
Solar panels: 20 × Aiko Neostar 2S 465W All Black ABC N-Type Mono
Inverter: Fox ESS H3 Smart 10kW three-phase hybrid inverter
Battery: Fox ESS EP12
Expected Annual Generation: 7,152kWh
Annual Electricity Consumption: 10,999kWh
Why Solar Can Make Sense for Churches and Community Buildings
When people think about solar panels, residential rooftops are often the first thing that comes to mind.
However, the same basic principle applies to many other types of property.
Churches, like this one in Godstone, community buildings, charities, offices and businesses can all have significant ongoing electricity requirements. In some cases, they can actually be particularly well suited to solar because a proportion of that electricity is consumed during daylight hours.
Depending on the building, daytime loads might include lighting, offices, kitchens, audio-visual equipment, electrical systems and other facilities.
When solar panels are producing electricity at the same time that the building needs it, that electricity can be consumed directly on-site instead of being purchased from the grid.
Add battery storage, and some of the electricity that isn’t needed immediately can be saved for later.
For organisations looking to reduce operating costs while also lowering their carbon footprint, that can create a compelling case for solar.
The System in Godstone
20 Aiko Solar Panels
For St Stephen’s Church, we installed 20 Aiko Neostar 2S 465W All Black ABC N-Type Mono solar panels.
Together, these provide a total installed solar capacity of 9.3kW.
The system is expected to generate approximately 7,152kWh of clean electricity per year.
Solar generation estimates aren’t based solely on multiplying the number of panels by their rated output.
When designing a system, factors such as the property’s geographical location, roof orientation, available sunlight and shading all affect how much electricity the panels are likely to generate over the course of a year.
For this project, annual electricity consumption is approximately 10,999kWh.
The predicted solar generation is therefore equivalent to roughly 65% of the building’s total annual electricity usage.
That doesn’t mean the panels will automatically provide 65% of the electricity the building needs, however.
Electricity needs to be available at the right time, which is where the battery becomes important.
Fox EP12 Battery
Solar panels generate electricity whenever there is sufficient daylight, but buildings don’t necessarily consume electricity at exactly the same time.
Without battery storage, solar electricity that isn’t required by the building at that moment will generally be exported to the grid.
The Fox ESS EP12 battery storage system installed at St Stephen’s allows more of that electricity to remain on-site.
When the solar array is producing more electricity than the building requires, available surplus energy can charge the battery. That stored electricity can then be used later when the solar panels aren’t producing enough to meet demand.
If you’d like to learn more about the EP12 Battery, and who it’s best suited too, click here.
(P.S At Sunbright Energy, Fox ESS are always our go to inverter & battery brand thanks to their reliability, high efficiency and fantastic customer service.
Sunbright Energy are also the only Fox ESS Approved Installer in Kent)
Thinking about FOX ESS FOR YOUR PROPERTY?
Sunbright Energy are the only Fox ESS Approved Partner in Kent
Where Will St Stephen’s Church’s Electricity Come From?
This is where we can see the potential impact of the completed system more clearly.
The building currently consumes approximately:
10,999kWh per year
Our modelling predicts that this annual consumption could be supplied through approximately:
3,062kWh directly from solar
2,555kWh via battery storage
5,382kWh directly from the grid
In other words, solar and battery-supplied electricity together could account for approximately 51% of the building’s annual electricity consumption.
That means the amount of electricity St Stephen’s needs to draw directly from the grid could potentially be reduced by roughly half.
For a building with substantial annual electricity requirements, that’s a meaningful change
What Could the Solar Installation Save?
Before the installation, the building’s annual electricity bill was modelled at approximately:
£3,410
With the solar and battery system operating, the projected annual electricity bill falls to approximately:
£1,669
That’s an estimated first-year electricity saving of:
£1,741
But there is another part of the equation.
Not every unit of electricity generated by the solar panels will be used directly or stored in the battery.
The model predicts that approximately 1,300kWh could be exported to the grid each year.
Assuming an export tariff of 12p/kWh, that could provide approximately:
£156 in first-year export income
Once that is taken into account, the building’s modelled effective electricity cost falls further to approximately:
£1,513 for the first year
That’s a combined projected first-year benefit of approximately £1,897 from reduced electricity purchases and export payments.
These calculations are based on an assumed import electricity rate of 31p/kWh and export rate of 12p/kWh. Actual savings will vary depending on future electricity prices, export tariffs, consumption and real-world solar generation.
If you’d like an estimate of what your specific property would save with solar panels, enter your postcode below and get your savings in 60 seconds:
What Happens to Solar Electricity the Church Doesn’t Use?
A well-designed solar and battery system effectively creates an order of priority for the electricity being generated.
First, solar electricity can meet demand within the building.
Available surplus electricity can then charge the battery.
Once the battery cannot accept additional energy, remaining surplus can be exported to the grid.
Eligible accredited solar installations in the UK may receive payments for exported electricity through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), subject to the requirements and tariffs offered by electricity suppliers.
Although using solar electricity on-site will often provide the greatest value, export payments mean surplus generation doesn’t necessarily go to waste.
£78,595 in Projected Savings Over 25 Years
Solar should ultimately be considered as a long-term investment.
Based on the modelling completed for this installation, St Stephen’s Church could achieve estimated energy bill savings of:
£78,595 over 25 years
As with any long-term solar projection, that isn’t a guaranteed return.
Electricity prices, export rates, future consumption, equipment performance and gradual solar-panel degradation will all influence the actual financial results.
But for churches, community organisations and businesses, there is a broader benefit to consider.
Electricity is an ongoing operating cost.
Generating a proportion of that electricity on-site reduces the amount that needs to be purchased from an energy supplier and can therefore provide greater control over the building’s long-term energy expenditure.
Reducing the Church’s Carbon Footprint
The financial benefits were only one part of this project.
The solar installation in Godstone is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately:
1,432kg every year
According to the project modelling, that’s equivalent to approximately:
- 5,115 miles of car travel
- The CO₂ absorbed by around 66 trees
For churches, charities, community organisations and businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact, solar can therefore provide measurable carbon reductions alongside lower dependence on grid electricity.
What This Godstone Installation Shows
The St Stephen’s Church project demonstrates three important things about solar.
First, solar isn’t just for residential properties.
If a church, community building or business has suitable roof space and meaningful electricity consumption, there may be a strong opportunity to generate a proportion of that electricity on-site.
Second, when electricity is consumed matters.
Buildings with daytime energy requirements can potentially consume solar electricity as it is being generated, reducing the amount they need to purchase from the grid.
Third, battery storage can extend the value of solar beyond the hours when the panels are producing electricity.
Instead of immediately exporting all surplus generation, some of that energy can be stored and used when the building needs it later.
Most importantly, though, the system needs to be designed around the property.
A solar installation for a church with three-phase electricity and almost 11,000kWh of annual consumption requires a different approach from a standard residential home.
That’s why system design matters.
Could Solar Work for Your Church, Business or Community Building?
St Stephen’s Church in Godstone is a good example of what can be achieved when solar panels, battery storage and the correct inverter are designed around the specific energy requirements of a building.
For this project, a 9.3kW solar array and 11.5kWh battery system could potentially reduce direct grid electricity requirements by around half, while delivering meaningful financial and environmental benefits over the system’s lifetime.
If you manage a church, business, charity or community building in Surrey, Kent or the surrounding South East and are considering solar, the Sunbright Energy team can assess your electricity consumption, roof space, electrical supply and battery requirements to determine what kind of system makes sense for your property.
The important question isn’t simply how many solar panels will fit on the roof.
It’s how we can design the complete system to make the best use of the energy your building actually needs.
Thinking about solar panels FOR YOUR HOME?
Get in contact with Sunbright Energy today
Meet The Owner
Oliver Crouch – Director
“I’m Oliver, the Director of Sunbright Energy. We’re a local, family-run business in the solar industry, which I’ve proudly led since its founding in 2014.
As a family business, we value personal connections and community. We’re driven to treat every customer with the respect and attention they deserve. Don’t hesitate to start your solar journey today – get in touch with Sunbright Energy for a service you can trust.”
FAQs
Can churches have solar panels installed in the UK?
Yes. Solar panels can be installed on churches and other community buildings where the property is suitable, although structural, planning and any building-specific permission requirements need to be considered before installation.
Are solar panels worth it for churches and community buildings?
They can be. Buildings with meaningful daytime electricity consumption can be particularly well suited to solar because electricity can be used while the panels are generating. The financial case will depend on the building’s consumption, available roof space, electricity tariffs and system design.
Can a church or commercial solar system include battery storage?
Yes. Battery storage allows surplus solar electricity to be stored and used later instead of immediately exporting it to the grid. At St Stephen’s Church, an 11.5kWh Fox ESS battery was installed alongside the 9.3kW solar array.
How much electricity can a 9.3kW solar system generate in the UK?
It depends on the property’s location, roof orientation, shading and other site-specific factors. For this 9.3kW solar installation in Godstone, Surrey, annual generation is estimated at approximately 7,152kWh.
How much can solar panels save a non-residential building?
Savings depend on electricity consumption, solar generation, tariffs and how much electricity can be used on-site. For this particular Godstone project, modelling predicts approximately £1,897 of combined first-year benefit from reduced electricity purchases and export payments, with estimated energy bill savings of £78,595 over 25 years. These figures are projections rather than guaranteed returns.
