Video: Bradford Cathedral opens itself to the heavens

It was expected that Coventry Cathedral would become the first to install the green energy devices, but Bradford has obtained all the planning consents, with officials saying it may even be the first cathedral in the world to make all its own electricity.

Despite changing all the bulbs to low-energy lighting, Bradford Cathedral was still paying thousands of pounds a year for electricity.

The building seats up to 650 people, and uses as much power as five to ten houses.

The Dean, the Very Rev Dr David Icon, said: “Churches are ideal buildings for solar power because they usually have a large south facing roof.

“But for many churches the economics do not work because they are not open so much during the week.

“Because we are open every day we are using electricity seven days a week, costing us thousands every year.”

The Bradford scheme is the latest chapter in the site’s five year mission to become an Eco-cathedral.

Canon Andrew Williams said: “We’ve changed all our light bulbs, introduced recycling and composting and installed efficient boilers.

“We also run a Fairtrade stall every Sunday morning. We’re delighted to be the first cathedral to be installing PV cells on our roof.”