Historic Church Installs Solar Panels Aiming for Net Zero Emissions

The church in Wylye is called St Mary The Virgin. It’s a special, old building that they mostly rebuilt in the early 1800s. But, you can still see parts from the Middle Ages.

The tower is from the 1400s, and the east window dates back to the 1200s. During the rebuild, they added a North Aisle, so the church now has two roofs.

The north roof’s south side is hidden and can’t be seen from the ground; it’s perfect for solar panels in that area. The church got permission to add solar panels there, and the electrics will hide in an old boiler room under the Vestry, keeping it neat.

This might be the first rural church in Wiltshire with solar panels. SGS Heating and Electrical, based in Salisbury, is doing the work.

The church recently got some upgrades inside too, installing infrared heating and adding comfy pew cushions. The goal is to have net carbon zero emissions.

These panels should cover most of the church’s electricity usage. The churchyard has the Popjay Tomb, and many people now have weddings there, with the bells making events special for up to 200 people.