“Let there be light” - 184 solar panels blessed on the roof of York Minster

184 solar panels on the roof of York Minster will be switched on for the first time on 9 January 2025 during a blessing ceremony led by the Dean of York.

The discreetly placed panels, installed over the last four months on the south Quire roof, will generate 70,000 kWh of energy, enough to deliver a third of the Minster’s electricity requirements. This is the fourth solar installation on the Minster estate, which together will generate 120,000 kWh of energy per year – enough to power 41 average UK homes.  

The solar panel installation is one of many projects underway across the Minster as part of its Neighbourhood Plan, which was adopted in 2022 following 32 weeks of public consultation. The plan, which has recently attracted international awards for innovation, is designed to address the challenges of the 21st century, principally responding to the climate emergency and the impacts of climate change on the fragile masterpiece that is York Minster’s 800-year-old building.  

Alex McCallion, Director of Works and Precinct at York Minster, explained: “Extreme weather, brought about by climate change is the greatest threat to the fabric of York Minster. These solar panels signify a significant step forward in our decarbonisation journey and is a significant project of our Neighbourhood Plan.  

“This project joins our existing solar slates on the York Minster Refectory, solar panels at the Heritage Quad and solar film on the Works & Technology Hub, to help reduce our energy consumption by a third – a huge leap forward toward a net zero future. 

“The closing statement of COP29 reminded us of the perilous state of our climate when the UN Secretary General noted ‘COP29 comes at the close of a brutal year – a year seared by record temperatures, and scarred by climate disaster, all as emissions continue to rise’. 

“Our adopted Neighbourhood Plan is delivering ambitious change in our estate as we take bold action to get our buildings to net zero. These renewable energy systems, together with retrofit to insulate our buildings and reduce energy consumption, should be celebrated as a major step forward and show that it if we can do it at York Minster, everyone can and should.”