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Given the recent approval of solar panels on York Minster, a debate has been kickstarted into whether or not we should put solar panels on heritage sites. Let’s take a look at some key points of this debate.
Public Opinion
Many people have expressed mixed feelings into the approval of the York Minster solar panels. Some people believe the solar panels are absurd and should not be installed on a historical building.
Others have more mixed feelings such as being understanding of the need for solar panels and alternative energy sources but noting they don’t need to be placed everywhere.
Although not completely on the side of having solar panels on heritage sites, these opinions do express the understanding of needing to change the way we generate our electricity.
But why are they not convinced that heritage sites also need to use renewable energies?
Heritage sites are protected for a reason and of course many people believe in protecting the history the sites hold. One reason people might not agree with installing solar panels onto York Minster is the damage that could occur.
However, there is a very small chance of damage to the heritage site as many professionals will have surveyed the building and therefore deemed it safe to install solar panels.
This shows the public does not need to be worried about any damages to York Minster.
Benefits of Solar Panels
Solar panels have many benefits to them, including:
- Being a renewable energy source
- Reducing the impact to the environment
- Saving money on bills
These benefits are also applicable to heritage sites as generally they are harder to insulate. This means bills can be higher as more energy is required to maintain the temperature of the property.
Particularly in the current climate with increasing energy bills, having a renewable source of energy can mean saving money on bills. In the case of York Minster, solar energy will be primarily used to power the services at the Minster.
They are planning to use underground solar batteries to store any unused power during the day for use in the night. This means solar energy will be used at all times of the day.
The benefits of solar panels could outweigh the costs in this situation.
Sustainability
The installation of the solar panels on York Minster comes from both the York Minster Neighbourhood Plan and the Church of England’s pledge to become net zero by 2030.
The York Minster Neighbourhood Plan aims to enhance the sustainability efforts of the Minster and maintain the cultural importance of the area. Installing solar panels onto the Minster future-proofs the heritage site by enabling it to generate and use its own solar energy, benefitting both the property and the world.
Furthermore, the pledge by the Church of England to become net zero by 2030 highlights the need for heritage sites to become more sustainable. By using renewable energy, York Minster cements itself into leading other heritage sites to follow in their footsteps.
This shows the relevance of all properties, including heritage sites, to become more sustainable.
Key Takeaways
Installing solar panels onto York Minster will most likely have a positive impact on the environment. If there is no damage done to the heritage site, is it not a good idea to keep the Minster up-to-date with sustainability goals?