Coventry Cathedral is advancing to become the first cathedral in the UK to install solar panels on its roof, according to a report published by the Coventry Telegraph.

The Cathedral is applying for planning permission to fit more than £100,000 worth of solar panels on the roof of the Grade-I listed building.

The Cathedral has plans to install a 50 kilowatt solar array on the roof to hack electricity bills.

Speaking on the topic, Executive director Jane Woodward said, "We are looking at putting a 50 kilowatt solar array on the roof and we hope it will significantly reduce our electricity bills.”

The Cathedral will have to get through many hurdles to gain approval for the solar technology project, but Woodward is optimistic as the Grade-I listed building, unlike other cathedrals, has a fairly flat roof.

EOS Energy, a division of Southa-based renewable energy firm Alumet, is planning to cover 200 m2 of Coventry Cathedral’s roof with a total of 178 solar panels.

Coventry Cathedral was erected in 1956, next to the remains of the original building that was destroyed Luftwaffe bombing during the Second World War.