Storyhouse has made another major step in its commitment to sustainability with the
installation of solar panels on its roof, made possible through funding from the Theatres
Trust’s Theatre Improvement Scheme, in partnership with the Wolfson Foundation and
Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Climate Emergency Fund.

The installation of these panels will help to expand the theatre’s solar energy infrastructure
and triple the solar energy capacity, leading to lower carbon emissions, greater self
sustained power generation, and significant cost savings.
As a vital warm hub for Chester residents, these sustainability improvements are essential in
helping to continue to provide a welcoming and energy-efficient space for the community

Annabel Turpin, CEO at Storyhouse said:
“This is one of those projects that isn’t always visible to the public but makes a huge
difference behind the scenes. These new panels mean we can cut our carbon footprint and
our energy bills at the same time – which is good news for the planet and for keeping
Storyhouse open, warm, and welcoming for everyone. A huge thank you to everyone who’s
worked so hard to get them installed, including our staff, our partner DomElec and Cheshire
West & Chester Council colleagues.”
Matt Quinton from DomElec Electrical & Solar, said:
“Bringing solar to the Storyhouse, such an iconic building in Chester, was a dream come true
for Domelec. The journey from the proposal to installation was the realisation of a shared
vision. It’s felt a very collaborative effort and what is a technically challenging project; a large
solar installation in the centre of a busy city on top of an extremely active building brought its
challenges, but I’m glad to say it’s all gone brilliantly. It’s not just about cutting energy costs,
it’s about sustainability taking centre stage and now the sun powers the spotlight and we’ve
been honoured to be involved!”
Cllr Louise Gittins from Chester West and Chester Council, said:
“Supporting Storyhouse through our Climate Emergency Fund, backed by the Shared
Prosperity Fund, is a powerful example of how we can invest in our cultural institutions while
tackling climate change. Installing solar panels at this much-loved cultural space not only
reduces carbon emissions but also helps secure a more sustainable future for our
community organisations.”
In partnership with the Wolfson Foundation, Theatres Trust allocated £20,000 to Storyhouse
to support their work towards environmental sustainability. This contribution combined with
over £25,000 from Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Climate Emergency Fund covered
one third of the overall cost, with Storyhouse making its own significant invest-to-save
commitment which has enabled the installation of 209 additional solar panels resulting in an
annual CO2 saving of over 48,000kg.

The installation is part of an ongoing effort by Storyhouse to evolve its environmental
practices, which also includes reducing waste wherever possible, sustainable programming,
and engaging audiences in climate-conscious storytelling and events.