Thaxted Church is a large late mediaeval Grade I listed church with a high window area (45% of façade).
Gross Internal Floor Area is 1,040m2, with an annual energy consumption of 5,828 kWh of electricity and 127,000 kWh of gas (2022 data). Total carbon emissions were 24.1 CO2e tonnes/year.
The project goal is to eliminate carbon emissions by 2030 in line with the Church of England’s goal from the General Synod in 2022 for Net Zero Carbon 2030.
We have already maximised insulation improvements and changed almost completely to LED lighting indoors and for floodlighting which has reduced our energy use by 40% – and contributed to us gaining the Silver Eco Church award in January 2025. We have also switched our electricity supply to an eco tariff (Parish Basket Renewables).
Solar panel installation is the next stage in the road map.
We have as of January 2026 secured funding for a Feasibility Study to install Solar Panels on the Church Roof (funded by the Zero Carbon Communities Grant of Uttlesford District Council, and a grant from the Diocese of Chelmsford).
The Feasibility Study will be conducted by a Mechanical and Engineering Consultancy working with our Parish Architect, and work is set to begin on February 10th 2026.
