The project will build upon an existing solar power installation to make it more suited to the use of the Old School building, to eliminate carbon emissions and become carbon neutral. The Old School has two function rooms, a kitchen, toilets and an office. Our food bank shed is supplied with power from the Old School. The rooms are in use regularly by a wide cross section of the local community. The profile of power usage is therefore very irregular and at times large. We have plenty of generating capacity but insufficient storage for large loads like space heating. Ultimately the aim is to dispense with gas heating and use electric from our batteries or from a green supplier in the event the batteries are discharged. The project will serve as a model for a larger project on the church itself.

What we'll deliver:

• A second battery matched to the 1st
• The means to be independent from the grid during power cuts
• A diverter of power to the hot water cylinder when the batteries are fulle
• Far infrared overhead electric heaters in place of convective radiators from a gas boiler
• A power ring main for the heaters
• A power outlet independent of the grid

Why it's a great idea:

The additional battery will enable the use of electricity for space heating to a much greater degree. The Old School is difficult to heat due to its construction and much heat is lost through walls, windows and ceilings. Currently it is impossible to achieve a comfortable temperature in Winter. There is little that can be done to improve this as it stands but the use of infrared heating will heat everything in a line of sight and avoids convection currents that see hot air rising into the vaulted ceilings. All groups hiring the rooms will benefit particularly the pre natal, post natal and mother and toddler groups. Water is currently heated by gas, but there is an immersion heater available that can use excess power when the batteries are full if a diverter module is fitted. An optional extra of the battery is a 13A outlet socket that can be used during blackouts. The methods tried and tested in the Old School will later be applied to St Paul's Church.

Steps to get it done:

• equipment contracts placed
• installation arranged
• first operation

Apart from the obvious environmental improvements there is also a financial benefit in using more of the power we generate as it avoids the cost of importing it. Groups using the Old School rooms regularly include; Art classes, "Dancercise", "Coffee plus", "Bump plus", "Baby plus", "Stagestruck" , "Shuffletunes", Pilates and Guildford Action.