Solar Panel Installation at Our Lady and Saint Nicholas Church, Liverpool
Delivering clean energy on a historic copper roof, with specialist engineering to match
Some solar installations are straightforward. Others require a level of technical care and precision that goes well beyond a standard rooftop system. The project at Our Lady and Saint Nicholas Church in Liverpool was firmly in the latter category, and it is one we are particularly proud of.
Located in Liverpool city centre adjacent to the River Mersey, this historic church approached Simcott Renewables via a trusted surveyor referral, following our successful collaboration on several private school projects. The brief was clear: reduce the church's carbon footprint and rising energy costs through a solar PV installation, without compromising the integrity of the building.
Specialist mounting solutions
The church's roof presented a set of technical challenges that required careful planning before a single panel could be specified.
The roof is finished in seamed copper, a material that demands specialist mounting solutions. Using standard aluminium mounting components on a copper roof creates the conditions for galvanic corrosion, a chemical reaction between dissimilar metals that, over time, causes significant structural damage. For a historic building with a roof of this kind, getting the material specification right was not optional. It was essential.
Additionally, the church's exposed city-centre location adjacent to the River Mersey introduced structural considerations around additional load and wind uplift. Any installation had to be assessed and approved by a structural engineer before work could proceed. Maintaining the integrity and long-term longevity of the building throughout was a non-negotiable requirement.
In practice, this was a project where technical rigour and sensitivity to the building's heritage had to work together from the outset.
Precision engineering
To address the corrosion risk directly, we specified brass seam clamps as the mounting solution. Brass is compatible with copper, eliminating the galvanic corrosion risk that would have occurred with standard components. This decision protected not only the solar installation itself but the long-term condition of the roof beneath it.
Prior to installation, we engaged a structural engineer to assess the roof's load-bearing capacity and wind loading profile. Following engineering approval, we designed a system that balanced strong generation performance with sensitivity to the building's aesthetics and structural requirements. The panels were installed in a landscape layout, carefully configured to make the most of the church's large south-facing roof whilst remaining sympathetic to the building's character.
The result was a commercial solar panel installation that met every technical requirement and delivered results beyond initial expectations.
System Specification
- Panels: 53 × 410W solar panels
- Configuration: Landscape layout
- Inverter: 20kW Solis inverter
- Mounting System: Brass seam clamps for copper roof compatibility
- Roof Type: Seamed copper
- Location: Liverpool city centre, adjacent to the River Mersey
Performance and Results
The system has exceeded expectations in its first year of operation.
- Estimated annual generation: 17,257 kWh
- Actual Year 1 generation: approximately 20,000 kWh
- Annual savings: £3,500 to £4,000
- Additional income: Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments on exported surplus electricity
- Carbon emissions: Significantly reduced
- System lifespan: 25 years or more
The gap between estimated and actual generation reflects the strong south-facing orientation of the roof and the quality of the system design. In practice, the church is now generating meaningfully more energy than projected, which improves the financial return and shortens the effective payback period further.
Why This Project Matters
Solar panels on church roofs and other historic buildings are often seen as technically out of reach. The assumption is that heritage sensitivity, unusual roof materials, and structural complexity make solar impractical. This project demonstrates clearly that is not the case.
With the right technical approach, the right material specification, and the right engineering support, even a seamed copper roof on a listed city-centre church can support a high-performing commercial solar installation. The key is knowing what questions to ask before the work begins, and having the expertise to answer them correctly.
Additionally, this project illustrates the broader value of solar panels for churches and faith sector organisations. Energy costs are a significant and often underappreciated financial pressure for churches. A well-designed solar system reduces that pressure sustainably, generates income through SEG, and demonstrates environmental stewardship to congregations and communities.
A Note on the Installation Process
The referral from a trusted surveyor was a reflection of the working relationships Simcott Renewables has built across the sector. Our appointment followed successful collaboration on several private school projects, and the same approach that served those projects well, careful specification, structural diligence, and quality installation, was applied here.
Church solar panels installations of this complexity require an installer who understands both the technical demands and the responsibility that comes with working on a significant building. At Simcott Renewables, that combination of technical capability and professional care is central to how we work.
Project Summary
| Detail | Specification |
| Client | Our Lady and Saint Nicholas Church, Liverpool |
| Location | Liverpool city centre, River Mersey |
| Roof Type | Seamed copper |
| Panels | 53 × 410W |
| Inverter | 20kW Solis |
| Mounting | Brass seam clamps |
| Est. Annual Generation | 17,257 kWh |
| Year 1 Actual Generation | ~20,000 kWh |
| Annual Savings | £3,500 to £4,000 |
| Additional Income | SEG export payments |
Considering solar for your church or historic building?
If you are responsible for a church, place of worship, or heritage building and are exploring the viability of solar, the most important first step is an honest assessment of your specific roof and structural situation. Not every building presents the same challenges, and not every challenge is insurmountable.
At Simcott Renewables, we are experienced in solar panel installation in Liverpool and across the wider UK, delivering commercial solar panel installation projects on buildings of all types, including those that require a more considered approach.
We provide:
- Specialist technical assessment for non-standard roof types
- Structural engineering coordination where required
- MCS-certified installation for compliance and warranty purposes
- Smart Export Guarantee registration for income on surplus energy
- Long-term system performance and monitoring support
If you are exploring solar panels for churches grants or funding support, we can also advise on current schemes and eligibility as part of your initial assessment.
Ready to explore what’s possible for your building?
Tell us about your roof and constraints — we assess honestly and can coordinate structure, heritage sensitivity, and MCS-compliant install.
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