Solar power helps a Nottingham church keep its doors open to the community

A Nottingham church that hosts a food bank, toddler group and wrestling club now has its own source of solar electricity.

St Ann with Emmanuel has completed an 8kW solar installation with more than 10kWh of battery storage, fully funded by a £20,286 grant from FCC Communities Foundation. The battery stores electricity for use beyond the hours when the panels are generating.

The building's everyday uses explain why running costs matter. Alongside worship and community activities, it hosts Hope Nottingham's Wednesday food bank. That service opened in September 2025 because some residents had been travelling across the city to the Meadows for help.

The funder's completion report does not yet give measured electricity savings. Its claim that the system will lower costs still needs to be tested against bills over time.

But the equipment is installed, and the services it supports are already there. For neighbours collecting food or bringing a toddler to a group, this is an investment in a familiar local meeting place.

Sources

• FCC Communities Foundation — completed installation and grant
• Hope Nottingham — local food-bank access and opening times