Commercial Battery Storage Installation for Stratford Methodist Church

Stratford Methodist Church: Using battery storage to make better use of solar energy

Project overview

Stratford Methodist Church has taken another step towards its ambition of becoming a net-zero church by 2030, with the installation of two Tesla Powerwall 2 batteries and a Gateway 2.

The church has had solar panels since 2014, but as its energy use increased through its growing role as a community hub, it recognised that generating renewable electricity was only part of the solution. By adding battery storage, the church can make greater use of the electricity it generates rather than exporting it and subsequently relying on the grid when its own solar generation isn’t available.

The battery installation was completed by Stratford Energy Solutions in February 2024.

A community building with a strong environmental purpose

Stratford Methodist Church is much more than a place of worship. Following its redevelopment, the building has become an active community centre, with a range of rooms used for events, meetings and activities.

The facilities are now used seven days a week, during both the day and evening, with bookings increasing significantly following the redevelopment and recovering strongly after COVID-19. This means the building has a substantial and varied energy demand.

The church’s environmental journey began well before the battery installation. In 2010, its Green Group proposed making the building more energy efficient as part of a wider redevelopment programme. This included solar panels, a ground-source heat pump and rainwater harvesting, all designed to reduce the environmental impact of the church’s activities.

That commitment has continued to shape the church’s decisions. Its current strategic objective is to achieve net zero by 2030, with reducing reliance on fossil fuels and becoming increasingly self-sufficient in electricity an important part of that journey.

“The cost saving is a huge benefit that comes with it. But I think it’s probably more an ethical, principled set of decision-making criteria for us than just being financially led.” – Phil Ledgard, Stratford Methodist Church

From solar generation to energy storage

Although the original 2014 solar panels (pictured) were not installed by Stratford Energy Solutions, the church has since developed a close working relationship with the team as its renewable energy partner. In 2016, a SolarEdge monitoring system was installed, giving the church a much clearer picture of how electricity was being generated and consumed across the building.

The monitoring system proved particularly valuable. The church could see how much electricity its solar panels were producing, how much was being used on site, how much was being exported and how much electricity still needed to be imported from the grid.

After almost a decade of using the system, the data made the next step clear.

Before the batteries were installed, the church estimated that it was using less than 50% of the electricity generated by its solar panels, while around 74% of its total electricity consumption was still being supplied by the grid.

The church therefore worked with Stratford Energy Solutions to install two Tesla Powerwall 2 batteries, allowing more of its solar generation to be stored and used when it was needed.

Making more of the church’s own renewable energy

The impact was significant.

Following the addition of the batteries, the church reports that it was able to use around 80% of its own renewable electricity, while its reliance on imported electricity fell to approximately 45% of total consumption.

This demonstrated an important lesson for the church: generating renewable electricity is only part of the equation – effective storage is essential for making the most of it.

The church has also seen a reduction in its energy usage and is confident that the batteries are helping to reduce its electricity costs. Because energy prices and other factors have changed over the same period, the church does not feel it is possible to attribute a precise financial saving to the batteries alone. However, the reduction in imported electricity provides clear evidence that the system is doing what it was designed to do.

Leading by example

For Stratford Methodist Church, however, the project is about considerably more than the financial return.

The church believes that action on climate change needs to happen sooner rather than later. Its approach is one of practical leadership – demonstrating its environmental values through the way the building actually operates.

That philosophy is reflected in its environmental credentials. Stratford Methodist Church was the first Methodist Church in the country to receive a Gold Eco-Church Award, and members of its Green Group have since been invited to share their approach with other conferences and organisations.

For the church, installing battery storage is therefore another practical step towards its 2030 net-zero ambition – while demonstrating to other organisations in Stratford-upon-Avon what can be achieved.

“It’s about thought leadership and setting an example – leadership through practice.” – Phil Ledgard, Stratford Methodist Church

A long-standing local partnership

The decision to work with Stratford Energy Solutions was also built on a relationship that has developed over many years.

While Stratford Energy Solutions did not install the church’s original solar panels, the company’s involvement began with the SolarEdge monitoring system and continued through the subsequent battery installation.

The church particularly valued the expertise of Stratford Energy Solutions team and the fact that the advice they received was reflected in the results achieved.

“There’s trust built up over time as well. What the team said would happen has happened, frankly. So why wouldn’t we come back?” – Phil Ledgard, Stratford Methodist Church

That long-standing relationship is especially significant given the church’s commitment to supporting environmental initiatives within the local community. Stratford Energy Solutions has also been invited to take part in the church’s eco events, strengthening the connection between the two local organisations.

The results

• 2 × Tesla Powerwall 2 battery storage with Tesla Backup Gateway 2

• 4.86kWp existing solar PV system

• 80% of renewable electricity used on site

• Grid electricity reduced to around 45% of total consumption

• £74.37 estimated monthly bill saving*

• 12,000kg CO₂ emissions saved to date*

• 771 trees equivalent planted to date*

• £29,810 estimated net lifetime savings*

*Stratford Energy Solutions monitoring/project data. Financial figures should be presented as estimates rather than guaranteed savings. The customer’s own comments confirm that energy usage fell immediately following battery installation, but that changing energy prices make it difficult to isolate the precise financial impact of the batteries.

A local example of practical sustainability

Stratford Methodist Church demonstrates how an existing community building can continue to improve its energy performance without starting from scratch.

For the church, the journey has been about progressively reducing its environmental impact – from improving the building’s efficiency and installing renewable generation, through to monitoring its energy use and adding battery storage.

As a Stratford-based energy company, Stratford Energy Solutions is particularly proud to have played a part in that journey.

The project also provides a valuable example for other churches, community organisations, charities, schools and local businesses looking to make better use of renewable energy and take greater control of their energy consumption.

The message is simple: generating your own renewable energy is one step – storing it can help you make much more of what you generate.

Inspiring others in the community

The church’s environmental journey is already helping to inspire other organisations locally. Droitwich Methodist Church was referred to Stratford Energy Solutions by Stratford Methodist Church, having heard about its experience with Stratford Energy Solutions. Droitwich subsequently chose Stratford Energy Solutions to deliver its own solar PV and battery storage installation, demonstrating how one community organisation can help another take the next step towards a more sustainable future. Read the Droitwich Methodist Church case study below.