PATHWAYS TO NET ZERO - TEA & PV

YORKSHIRE NORTH & EAST METHODIST DISTRICT

BACKGROUND

In 2020, the Yorkshire N&E Methodist District embarked on a transformative journey, pledging to achieve Net Zero by 2040. Spearheaded by an in-depth assessment conducted by Prof Simon Pringle, the District set out on a mission to explore sustainable energy solutions across its 200 Methodist Churches.

To enable this journey, the d3associates Energy Team had previously completed Pathways to Net Zero Feasibility Studies for a number of churches in the District. The resulting plans identified a plethora of measures to assist with the decarbonisation of the Church buildings. In order to progress to the next stage, the Methodist Church successfully secured funding from the Energy for Tomorrow programme by Centrica, and the Tea & PV project was conceived.

The funding for Tea & PV was focused on the installation of solar PV, battery storage and EV charging points at seven Methodist Churches in North and East Yorkshire and the d3associates team were delighted to be invited to Project Manage the scheme.

Our responsibilities included preparing specifications for solar PV, battery storage and EV charging points, preparing tender documents and managing the tender process, making regular site visits and undertaking the role of Principal Designer.

OUTCOME

Over the summer, seven churches, frequented by 160,000 visitors annually, were equipped with solar panels, battery storage and EV charging points.

The District was understandably proud of this achievement and wanted a clear means of communicating, to their wider congregation, just how much electricity was being generated. Typically, software displays often translate this information into images of trees being planted, but in Methodist terms, it was thought cups of tea were much more appropriate.

With this inspiration in mind the final stage of Tea & PV was rolled out to the seven churches. Local communities and congregations were now able to see the benefits of the solar panels in terms of the amount of energy it took to brew one cup of tea.

The presentation of this information encouraged people to ask questions about the solar panels and other Net Zero related topics - and naturally, a cup of tea was always on offer.

The Methodist Churches forward thinking was duly recognised by the wider energy community at the end of 2023 when Tea & PV was shortlisted for a Community Energy Award. These awards are an annual event that recognises and celebrates outstanding achievements in community energy. While they didn’t win on the night, the nomination highlighted the Churches contribution to the advancement of a sustainable future for us all.