Fountains Abbey is saving £5,000 annually after switching its visitor center from fossil fuels to solar power. Staff at the popular National Trust landmark report that the first year with their new solar panels — installed in March 2023 — has exceeded all expectations, marking a significant step in the organization’s ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Reducing Carbon Emissions
The site’s general manager, Justin Scully, explained that the center, which draws 400,000 visitors annually, had previously relied on fossil fuels. Given the area’s rich history, the switch to solar power required careful consideration of its unique heritage.
He explained that due to the site’s complex heritage, the team approached every decision with great sensitivity. The £50,000 installation involved integrating the panels directly into the roofline—rather than placing them on top of the tiles—to minimize their visual impact and any resulting glare.
Image: Collected
“We would have done this work anyway because of our commitment to sustainability,” says Justin. “But after just over a year, it’s clear that the panels will have paid for themselves within a decade, which is incredible. It’s a win-win for both sustainability and our finances, and it means we’re protected against future energy price rises.”
Commitment to Addressing Climate Change
Justin noted that the solar panels complement other low-carbon initiatives at the center, including its heat pumps, LED lightbulbs, and electric vehicle charging stations.
“It is critical for the National Trust to be open about climate change, which is one of the most serious threats to the land and properties we care for,” he adds. “We want to urge our visitors to consider their own carbon footprints.
Justin stressed that reducing emissions from buildings is just one of the National Trust’s many actions to protect the planet. Another key effort is increasing the biodiversity of habitats on its land, an initiative this weekend’s event will celebrate. Highlighting the link between climate change and nature is a major focus for the organization, he noted, especially at a site like Fountains Abbey, where visitors can experience that connection firsthand.
Great Big Green Week
This Sunday, June 16, visitors to Fountains Abbey can celebrate Great Big Green Week by joining the site’s rangers for a BioBlitz. Families are invited to become wildlife explorers for the day, searching for bugs, beasties, and birds across the estate and learning to identify different species.
Great Big Green Week is a national event organized by The Climate Coalition in the lead-up to the General Election. It encourages people to show political candidates what they are doing to fight climate change and urges politicians to commit to reducing emissions, restoring natural environments, and supporting those most affected by climate change, both locally and globally.
Helen Meech, Executive Director of The Climate Coalition, said that Great Big Green Week allows people to show how much nature and the climate matter to them and to share ideas for sustainable living. She added that it also serves as a reminder to politicians on the campaign trail that there is strong public support for decisive action on climate issues for the sake of future generations.
Fountains Abbey’s successful transition to solar power highlights its commitment to sustainability and serves as an inspiration for others. The project achieves substantial financial savings, reduces carbon emissions, and complements efforts to enhance biodiversity, showing how the National Trust continues to lead by example in the fight against climate change.
Events like Great Big Green Week further engage the community, encouraging wider participation in environmental stewardship and calling for stronger climate action.