Hackney Council hopes to replicate the scheme across other churches, temples and mosques, while also focusing on decarbonising its housing stock.
Councillor Sarah Young, who leads on climate, environment and transport, said the council is installing solar panels on 27 blocks across three estates. The Labour-run authority says tenants and leaseholders “could soon see their bills slashed” as a result.
The £2m scheme is being funded from the council’s climate budget, which includes money from City Hall’s Carbon Offset Fund.
The council claims the project will pay for itself, with income from selling residents discounted solar electricity expected to cover costs over 10 to 20 years.
On 18 December, St Paul’s West Hackney received a visit from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary Martin McCluskey praised the church as a flagship example of community-led energy.
He said: “It really stands as an example for what other buildings across the country can take advantage of with this new green technology that’s readily available right now.
“The great thing about it is it’s been led by the council and by community energy companies.”
Father Fletcher-James said that his plans for making the church greener does not stop there.
“There is so much more we can do to be environmentally friendly in terms of our day-to-day running and costs, our admin, our governance.
“Those are some of the things I’m hoping to try and also look at in the new year,” he added.