Plans for 199 solar panels to be fitted to the roof of York Minster have received approval from the City of York Council. The panels will be fitted on the roof of the South Quire Aisle. They are expected to generate 75,000 kWh (kilowatt hours) per year, providing energy during the day and also for evening services.
Visitors to the Minster will be able to see how much energy the panels have produced and the amount of carbon emissions they have prevented via a display that will be installed inside the building.
The Dean of York, the Very Reverend Dominic Barrington, said: "The Church of England has pledged to be net zero by 2030 and we are proud to be playing a significant role in helping to achieve this vision".
Alex McCallion, Director of Works and Precinct at York Minster expressed his hope that decarbonisation projects like this would set a leading example for other heritage institutions to follow.
Photo of York Minster © Lukasz Gajewski | Dreamstime.com