Wicken Bonhunt – Solar – church and community centre (2023 funding)

Primary installation completed. Ground works to minimise visual impact completed. Installation of batteries completed. This was a very significant undertaking requiring the co-operation of the diocese and support from the Parochial Church Council, Community Centre Management Team, (WBCC) who managed the design, planning application and installation process and the Parish Committee who contributed funding through Sustainable Uttlesford. Critical considerations: install battery storage, for use in periods of no power generation. Consider roof mounted panels rather than a ground mounted solution. In the case of WBCC, the historic/protected nature of the roof prevented us from doing so. Ensure installation address and post codes are the same as the supplier address and post codes. Your installer has to get approval and certification from the Network Supplier (UKPN in our case) that the system is credible/working properly. Issues: Postcode: A church does not receive post, postcode on documentation and applications differed. Delay to securing insurance: Few insurance companies will insure church buildings. In order to convince our insurer we had to ensure the inverter within the building was installed against a fire-proof panel to limit the additional insurance risk and cost. Delay to securing Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) formally Feed In Tariff (FIT). We initially approached Scotish Power, after 7 months of inactivity on their part, the application was declined. We are now waiting to hear back from EDF our current supplier. The application was submitted in May 2025, after much chasing we are still waiting. However, the installation is working well and we find the batteries provide stored electricity when needed for heating and lighting.