New solar panel batteries at St George’s Church in Southall have been installed with council funding and will help the church to be more energy efficient and help tackle the climate emergency.
Using grant funding from Ealing Council, 4 batteries have been installed at the church to store electrical energy generated by solar panels on the roof. The energy can be used during the night and reduces dependence on electricity from the national grid. A single battery can provide enough power to boil a kettle continuously for 3 days.
Community climate grants
Last year the council introduced a community climate grants programme to help community organisations contribute to the borough’s 2030 net zero target by making energy efficiency improvements, leading to lower carbon emissions.
Community groups that wanted to cut the amount of energy they use, or reduce their waste, were invited to apply for council funding of up to £10,000 to future-proof their premises.
The church was 1 of 6 successful applicants and was awarded a grant of £9,954 to make energy efficiency improvements. The other community buildings that received council funding were St Mary’s Church, Hanwell, St Matthew’s Church, Questors Theatre, St Paul’s Church, and Acton Baptist Church.
On a recent visit, Ealing Council Leader Peter Mason met with members of the church who spoke passionately about the work the congregation have done to reduce their energy use.
Maintenance manager Andrew Gray said: “We’ve noticed a really big improvement, not only with bills, just overall. It’s been quite a spearhead to the other eco-friendly things we do here at the church, and raised a lot of questions, especially about the benefits.”
A key part of their work
The church has made looking after the environment a key part of their work for more than 25 years and have made changes to tackle the climate crisis, such as introducing a biodiverse pond, composting and recycling, and reusable crockery. The church also provides tips on how to make changes at home.
Youth minister Samson Massey said: “Our church’s vision for 2030 is ‘bigger, greener and younger’. The tips we give out are for people to go and practise at home: switching appliances off, not leaving things on standby, and buying local produce. These tips help people to make small but important changes.”
Councillor Mason said: “Tackling the climate crisis continues to be a top priority for the council and we are committed to support local organisations reduce carbon emissions and help the council achieve its target to become carbon neutral by 2030.
“This grant has enabled St George’s Church to continue the fantastic work it does to tackle the climate crisis, helping them to save even more energy and money.”
Councillor Paul Driscoll, the council cabinet member for climate action, added: “Giving local community organisations help and support to make important changes to how they use energy is key to delivering a low carbon and sustainable future.
“Funding changes like this contributes to reducing the negative impact on the environment and enables the council to deliver its ambitious climate action programme, which will reduce harmful emissions and also supports community organisations.”
In 2022 St George’s Church received an Eco-Church Silver award, one of only 13 in the Diocese of London so far. Improvement works continue as the church works towards achieving the gold award.
