The Church of Sweden has set a goal that renewable electricity, such as that via solar cells, should correspond to a third of the organization’s electricity use by the year 2030.
– It is completely impossible to cope if we do not continue with an increased solar cell installation. It is a crucial part for us to contribute to electricity production and achieve climate neutrality, says Johan Stråhle, diocesan engineer at Västerås diocese.
According to the Church of Sweden, electricity production from solar cells has increased from 371 MWh in 2017 to 4592 MWh in 2022.
Does not see legal support for the county board’s decision
In many cases, the Church of Sweden and the County Administrative Board believe that they have a good dialogue about changes that deal with the Cultural Environment Act. But in the case in Lima, where the congregation is not allowed to put up black solar cells on a red barn roof, both the Church of Sweden and the congregation consider that the barn is not part of the church environment.
– In this specific case, I do not see that the county administrative board has legal support, neither for its decision nor for their previous proposal to use red solar cells where the parish receives an additional cost of over one million kroner, says Johan Stråhle.
The Dalarna County Administrative Board bases its decision on the fact that they protect the church environment in the area.
– Red solar cells would blend in better, says antiquarian Lovisa Lindberg.
Don’t want solar cells on all church roofs
Stråhle is careful to say that the Church of Sweden obviously does not want to see solar cells “in every single church”.
Is the case in Lima-Transtrand unique or have you seen several examples of similar concerns when installing solar cells on buildings?
– I want to say that this is a unique management and hope it will remain so.