We are delighted to share that the solar panel and battery installation at St Mary’s for All Church and Community Centre in Hamilton is now complete and fully operational.
As the 2025 Pioneer Project for the Glasgow & Galloway Diocese, this installation was funded by the Province and Benefact Trust. The project is an important step in helping the centre become more sustainable, reduce energy costs and ensure that St Mary’s can continue to provide an affordable and welcoming community space.
Over the first week of operation (1–7 March 2026), the system has already shown very encouraging results. Early performance highlights:
☀️ 303 kWh of solar energy generated
🏡 254 kWh used directly by the centre
🔋 102 kWh supplied by the battery
⚡ 239 kWh electricity drawn from the grid
This means that almost 60% of the centre’s electricity during the week came from solar and battery energy, representing an estimated £100 saving on electricity costs in just the first week.
Given that this performance is during early spring in Scotland, we expect solar generation and savings to increase significantly as we move into the brighter summer months.
Reducing energy costs will help protect the long-term sustainability of the centre and ensure that more resources can be directed towards community activities, wellbeing services and local groups who use the building every week.
St Mary’s would like to thank everyone who has supported this project – including our partners, installers, funders, trustees and volunteers –helping ensure that St Mary’s for All continues to thrive as a church and community hub for Hamilton.
Special thanks go to Rebecca Cadie, Diocesan Architect for her support and advice, Rev Matthew Little, priest for St Mary’s church, and Iain Johnstone from the Provincial Net Zero Team.
Suzie McCheyne, Development Support, St Mary’s for all Hamilton; Edited by Bethany Nelson, Empowerment Coordinator
