Last updated 22 October 2026 · BrightEdge Solar team
Short answer: The Church of England’s Decarbonising Churches Grant Fund (DCGF) can pay for solar panels and batteries, but only as part of a project to move a church or hall to low-carbon heating. It doesn’t fund stand-alone solar.[2] It offers up to £15,000 to plan a project, then up to £80,000 (50% of costs) for full decarbonisation, up to £50,000 (25%) for partial decarbonisation, or up to £45,000 where heating has failed.[2] The first step is a conversation with your diocesan Net Zero Carbon Officer.[1]
If your PCC is looking for church grants for solar panels, the DCGF is the biggest new pot of money, but it funds solar as a way of making electric heating affordable to run, not as a project in its own right. This guide covers what it pays for, who can apply, how to apply and the other routes worth knowing. For permissions, typical costs and how we deliver church projects, see our main guide to solar panels for churches.
Key facts
- Who runs it: the Church of England’s Net Zero Carbon Programme. It opened to churches in all dioceses from June 2026.[1]
- Solar is included only alongside heating: the cost of solar panels, battery storage and installation can be funded where they reduce electricity bills and keep a new low-carbon heating system affordable to run.[2]
- Closing date: the fund booklet (version 1.1, July 2026) doesn’t give one. Ask your diocese before you plan around a deadline.[2]
- VAT: 0% VAT on qualifying charity solar ends on 31 March 2027. See our guide to the charity solar VAT deadline.
What the Decarbonising Churches Grant Fund covers
The DCGF supports high-emitting churches, and those with failing heating, to plan and deliver major decarbonisation projects. Its focus is energy efficiency and a move to electric heating.[2] Most funded projects are expected to be new electric heating systems, “potentially complemented by solar PV and batteries”. Stand-alone solar PV, LED lighting and energy efficiency are “better funded” through other grant streams or locally.[2]
Funding for high-emitting churches and halls
For churches and halls emitting more than 10 tonnes of CO₂ a year, the fund offers:[2]
| Stage | What’s available |
|---|---|
| Project development | An enhanced energy audit (if you haven’t had a qualifying audit since January 2024) and up to £15,000 of project development funding |
| Capital: full decarbonisation | Up to £80,000, covering 50% of total project costs |
| Capital: partial decarbonisation | Up to £50,000, covering 25% of total project costs |
To count as fully decarbonised, a church must remove all on-site burning of fossil fuels, buy electricity on a tariff the Church of England rates “better” or “best”, take reasonable efficiency measures, and show solar PV has been considered: present, pending, or ruled out for robust reasons.[2] To get the higher rate, all the funding for the project must be secured within 12 months of conditional approval.[2]
Churches whose heating has failed
Where a gas or oil boiler has failed or is failing, the fund pays the difference between a like-for-like replacement and a low-carbon alternative, up to £45,000. Grants above £25,000 are linked to the deprivation of the parish. Failed or very costly electric heating is covered on a similar basis.[2]
How solar fits into a DCGF application
Solar is funded on affordability grounds: electric heating raises a church’s electricity use, and solar can offset some of that cost. If you include solar, the application asks for:[2]
- a clear assessment of how much running costs will rise when you switch to electric heating, and how the proposed solar system will offset this
- quotes for the solar system that show good procurement practice and set out all costs in a bill of quantities format
Ongoing costs, such as higher bills or servicing, aren’t covered.[2] We can prepare the solar side of that evidence: a design, a generation forecast based on your bills, and an itemised quote. Where it makes sense, we’ll include battery storage.
Who can apply
Churches and church halls in all dioceses can apply, provided the building is owned by part of the Church of England. Congregations in rented or leased buildings, cathedrals and schools aren’t eligible.[2] For the high-emitting stream, you also need:[2]
- a carbon footprint above 10 tonnes gross CO₂ a year, from an Energy Footprint Tool (EFT) return dated 2021 or later (not needed where heating has failed)
- your most recent EFT completed
- registration as an Eco Church (an award is preferred)
How to apply
- Talk to your diocese. Meet your diocesan Net Zero Carbon Officer or Diocesan Environment Officer to discuss the project and get their support.[1][2] In most of Hull and East Yorkshire, that’s the Diocese of York.
- Arrange a three-way meeting. Unless you’re only asking for an enhanced energy audit, you or your diocesan officer emails nzcgrants@churchofengland.org to set up a call with a programme grants officer.[2]
- Gather your evidence. All applications need a PCC resolution, your latest EFT data, Eco Church status and electricity tariff details. Capital bids also need a statement of need, professional advice, quotes and a project budget.[2]
- Apply on the Grants Portal. Create an account, open “Funding Opportunities” and choose the round “NZC -Decarbonising Churches – PCC – June 2026”.[2]
- Wait for the agreement before starting work. The fund aims to give initial feedback within three weeks, excluding Christmas. It can’t pay for work done or equipment bought before the grant agreement is signed.[2]
Faculty and other permissions aren’t needed to apply, but must be in place before work starts. Capital grants are paid 80% up front and 20% on completion.[2]
Other church grants for solar panels
If your project is mainly solar, or too small for the DCGF, these routes are worth a look:
- Give to Go Green. A Church of England match-funding scheme for carbon-cutting projects costing up to £20,000. It matches donations raised locally £1 for £1, up to £10,000 or 50% of project costs, whichever is lower.[3] Solar PV is considered only as part of a wider plan to decarbonise your buildings, with some other measures already completed.[3] Round three opened on 5 October and closes on 11 January.[1] Check the Church of England grants page for current dates.
- Diocesan Quick Wins grants. Grants of up to £10,000, generally in the £3,000–£5,000 range, run by each diocese. Eligible work varies, so ask your Net Zero Carbon Officer or church buildings team.[1]
- Benefact Trust. Its Building Grants list carbon reduction and environmental sustainability among their priorities.[4]
A church that has had a Give to Go Green grant can still apply to the DCGF later.[2] Our solar panel grants hub covers funding for other sectors.
Don’t forget the VAT deadline
Solar panels and batteries installed in a building used solely for a relevant charitable purpose are zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027, then charged at 5%. A church used for worship will normally qualify. Grant timelines can be long, so read our guide to the 0% VAT deadline for charity solar.
FAQ
Can a church get a grant for solar panels on their own?
Not usually from the Decarbonising Churches Grant Fund. The fund says stand-alone solar PV is better funded through other grant streams or locally. Solar and batteries can be funded when they are part of a low-carbon heating project and help keep its running costs affordable.[2]
How much can the Decarbonising Churches Grant Fund pay?
Up to £15,000 for project development, then capital grants of up to £80,000 (50% of costs) for full decarbonisation or up to £50,000 (25% of costs) for partial decarbonisation. Churches whose heating has failed can apply for up to £45,000.[2]
Is there a closing date for the Decarbonising Churches Grant Fund?
The fund booklet doesn’t give one. The fund opened to all dioceses from June 2026, and the Church of England describes support over the next three years. Ask your diocesan Net Zero Carbon Officer for the current position before you plan around it.[1][2]
Can Give to Go Green pay for church solar panels?
Sometimes. It match-funds money you raise locally for projects of up to about £20,000. Solar PV is only considered as part of a wider plan to decarbonise your buildings, with some other measures already done. Round three closes on 11 January, but check the Church of England site for current dates.[1][3]
Do churches pay VAT on solar panels?
Solar panels and batteries installed in a building used solely for a relevant charitable purpose are zero-rated until 31 March 2027, then 5%. A church used for worship will normally qualify.
Planning a church heating and solar project?
We’re MCS certified and can prepare the solar side of your application: design, generation forecast, running-cost offset and an itemised quote, plus the drawings your DAC needs. Send us a recent electricity bill and a few photos of the roof, and we’ll give you an honest first view before the PCC commits to anything.
Book a free survey · Call 01482 765063
This guide summarises the Church of England’s published guidance. Terms and dates can change, so check the latest fund documents with your diocese before applying.
Sources
- Church of England, Net Zero Carbon Programme Grants for Churches: https://www.churchofengland.org/about/environment-and-climate-change/net-zero-carbon-programme-grants-churches (checked 22 Oct 2026)
- Church of England, All you need to know about the new Decarbonising Churches Grant Fund (booklet, version 1.1, July 2026): https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2026-08/dcgf-booklet-july-26.pdf (checked 22 Oct 2026)
- Church of England, Give to Go Green booklet: https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2026-06/give-to-go-green-booklet.pdf (checked 22 Oct 2026)
- Benefact Trust, Building Grants: https://www.benefacttrust.co.uk/grants/building-grants/ (checked 22 Oct 2026)
