The power of God is taking on a slightly different meaning at Bradford Cathedral.

Permission is being sought to install solar panels in the south roof of historic Grade I listed building.

The cost is likely to be in the region of £50,000.

Canon Andrew Williams said: “We hope to be the first cathedral in the country to have Photovoltaic cells. We have the ideal roof on the south-facing side of the Cathedral, near Church Bank.

“The present roof is made of stainless steel. With the cells it will look much the same as it does now. The historic integrity of the building won’t be spoiled.

“The Fabric Advisory Committee, that looks after this building for the Cathedral Fabric Commission for England, has to give their permission.

“English Heritage aren’t overly enthusiastic – at the moment.”

It is all part of the Cathedral’s conservation measures that will be formally acknowledged later this month with Eco Conservation status.

The wooden plaque, which the Cathedral keeps for three years, will be presented by commercial ecologist Islam Pearson, who is giving a talk at the Cathedral on Wednesday, August 25, about Photovoltaic cells.

Award judges were impressed by the “wealth of practical initiatives undertaken – especially around building management, multiple recycling sites and projects still to be explored and implemented.”

Since 2007 the Cathedral has installed green cones, which get rid of cooked waste, and composters, which convert garden waste into compost.

There are bins for recycling paper, glass and tin. Milk is delivered in glass bottles by a milkman and supplies are Free Trade wherever possible.

The Cathedral’s electricity consumption is monitored by a digital Eco Eye meter. There are energy-efficient lightbulbs and floodlights in the grounds are on a timer.

Canon Williams said: “This award seals a three-year process of examining carefully our use of natural resources and energy, then changing our practice in more than 20 different ways.

“But the hard work continues. In the next phase we will aim to share good eco-practice with neighbouring churches and partner organisations as well as seek ways to generate electricity and so contribute to the National Grid while reducing our own carbon footprint.”