A COMMERCIAL CASE STUDY
Droitwich Methodist Church invests in a sustainable future
For Droitwich Methodist Church, sustainability isn’t simply about reducing electricity bills. It’s part of a wider commitment to caring for the environment, supporting the local community and ensuring the church remains financially sustainable for generations to come.
As the church worked towards achieving a Gold Eco Church Award, investing in renewable energy became a natural next step. Working closely with the trustees, Stratford Energy Solutions designed and installed a tailored solar PV and battery storage system that enables the church to generate its own clean electricity, reduce its reliance on the grid and make better use of its daytime energy demand.
Project overview
| Customer | Droitwich Methodist Church |
| Sector | Community / Place of Worship |
| Location | Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire |
| Installation Completed | August 2025 |
Installed solution
- 11.9kWp commercial solar PV system
- 28 × Solarwatt 425W solar panels
- Tesla Powerwall 3 battery storage with Tesla Backup Gateway 2
- K2 mounting system
- Estimated annual solar generation: 12,891kWh
- Installation completed in just two days
A church at the heart of its community
While Droitwich Methodist Church is, first and foremost, a place of worship, it also serves as a vibrant community hub used by local people every day of the week.
Alongside regular church services and meetings, the building hosts parent and baby groups, activities for older residents and a wide variety of community organisations. From early morning through to late evening, the church is alive with activity, making it an important resource for the local area.
With the building typically occupied from around 9am until 9pm, electricity demand remains consistently high throughout the day. Rather than relying entirely on increasingly expensive grid electricity, the trustees recognised an opportunity to generate clean energy on site while reducing the long-term cost of operating the building.
A sustainability project with long-term purpose
The decision to install solar formed part of a much wider sustainability strategy.
Having already achieved Bronze Eco Church status, Droitwich Methodist Church is now working towards the prestigious Gold Eco Church Award. The investment in renewable energy reflects the church’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact while demonstrating responsible stewardship of its facilities.
The project was also made possible through funding from the Methodist Church’s Action for Hope programme, which supports churches across Great Britain in making practical improvements that reduce carbon emissions and help achieve net zero. This funding enabled the church to bring forward its renewable energy investment, allowing it to benefit sooner from reduced operating costs and greater energy independence.
Choosing Stratford Energy Solutions
Selecting the right installer was an important decision.
The trustees spent almost a year exploring different renewable energy providers before deciding who to appoint. Stratford Energy Solutions came highly recommended by the church’s trusted electrician, while further research highlighted the company’s successful delivery of a similar project for Stratford Methodist Church.
Knowing that Stratford Energy Solutions already understood the unique requirements of places of worship gave the trustees additional confidence that the project would be delivered professionally, safely and with minimal disruption to the church’s activities.
Delivering a tailored renewable energy solution
Following a detailed site survey, Stratford Energy Solutions designed an 11.9kWp solar PV system consisting of 28 high-performance Solarwatt panels, paired with a Tesla Powerwall 3 battery storage system.
The battery allows excess solar energy generated during the day to be stored for later use, helping maximise self-consumption and reducing reliance on imported electricity.
Although installation on site took just two days, the project required careful planning behind the scenes. During the design process, the originally proposed location for the battery storage system did not satisfy the church’s insurer.
Working closely with the trustees and other stakeholders, Stratford Energy Solutions identified an alternative installation location that fully complied with insurance requirements while maintaining the performance and practicality of the overall system. This collaborative approach ensured the project remained on schedule and met all safety and operational requirements.
Early performance exceeding expectations
Although the installation is still relatively new, the church has already been encouraged by the system’s performance.
One of the biggest surprises has been just how much electricity the solar panels are generating. During quieter periods, when demand within the building is lower, the system regularly produces more electricity than the church needs. Rather than letting that energy go to waste, the surplus is exported back to the grid.
The financial return from exporting excess electricity has already exceeded the trustees’ expectations, providing an additional benefit alongside the reduction in imported electricity.
The installation has also transformed the church’s understanding of its energy use. Real-time monitoring provides clear visibility of both electricity generation and consumption throughout the day, allowing trustees to see exactly how the building is performing and giving reassurance that the investment is delivering the expected benefits.
As the system continues to operate over the coming months and years, the church expects these insights to support future energy management decisions while helping reduce exposure to rising electricity prices.
Looking beyond energy savings
For Droitwich Methodist Church, the benefits extend well beyond lower electricity bills.
The project demonstrates a tangible commitment to environmental responsibility, helping reduce the church’s carbon footprint while supporting its journey towards Gold Eco Church status.
Just as importantly, lower operating costs mean more of the church’s resources can be focused on supporting the people and organisations who use the building every week. By investing in renewable energy today, the church is helping secure a more sustainable future for both its facilities and the wider community it serves.
Customer testimonial
“Stratford Energy were very helpful and listened to what we were trying to achieve. They designed a package to meet our needs and went above and beyond to help make our project a success. From the initial contact through to the workmen on site and office staff to help with contract set up, everyone was polite and helpful. The install was carried out in such a way that we were able to continue with our groups meeting on site. We would have no hesitation in recommending the team.”
Supporting community organisations across the Midlands
This project highlights how solar energy can benefit far more than commercial businesses.
Community buildings, churches, schools, healthcare facilities, charities and village halls often have significant daytime electricity demand and occupy their buildings for decades. Renewable energy allows these organisations to reduce operating costs, improve environmental performance and invest in infrastructure that continues delivering value for many years.
For Stratford Energy Solutions, Droitwich Methodist Church demonstrates how carefully designed solar PV and battery storage systems can be tailored to meet the unique needs of community organisations, helping them reduce their environmental impact while strengthening their long-term financial resilience.
