Community Case Studies



Commercial Solar Panel Installation, North Wales

Project: Solar PV Installation, Galeri Caernarfon
Location: North Wales
Date: 2011

The Green Electrician was asked to design and install a 44kWp system for Galeri Caernarfon in North Wales, a not for profit Development Trust, as part of its commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and is continually implementing measures to improve environmental performance.

The installation of a Solar Photovoltaic system was one of many measures the company has adopted to ensure compliance with the policy, others have included, the incorporation of a computerised Building Management System, progressively modifying lighting within the building to low energy versions. Due to the nature of Galeri and its operations within, being a high energy user, there was a financial consideration in proceeding with the installation of solar panels. Whilst, they will only generate a proportion of energy consumption, in time, the savings made and income from the feed-in tariff, will allow for the company to invest in other projects/events.

"When visiting Caernarfon, it  is evident that there are very few properties within the Town that already have solar panels installed. It is hoped that as Galeri is a prominent building, the installation of a 44.4 Kw Photovoltaic will raise public awareness and give clear intentions of our Company.  It has been a pleasure working with the Green Electrician on this project, they have throughout, acted in a totally professional manner. From our view point, the project has been a total success." Neil Davies, Galeri Canarfon

 

Technology: 44.4kWp Solar PV System
Energy Output: 38,112kWh
Carbon Saving: 20 tonnes CO2/yr


 

 

Solar Panel Installation on Village Hall

Project: Solar PV Installation, Stretton on Fosse
Location: Warwickshire
 

A community initiative has resulted in a village owned Solar PV system in the heart of Warwickshire.

 

Residents of Stretton on Fosse organised an innovative loan scheme of 2% above inflation for villagers to invest in a Solar PV system for the Village Hall.  Fifteen investors put money into the 25 year scheme raising £12,500 to go towards the 21 panel 3.89kWp system, installed by The Green Electrician.

  

The system will generate 3,339 kWh a year, with the feed-in tariff this will raise £1400 in the first year, from which the investors will receive their annual investment return. Villagers can withdraw their money after five years. Even then, the Village Hall is expected to make over £1000 a year after paying out the loan interest.

The Secretary of the Village Hall, Izzi hazelwood said: "We are very pleased to go green with this community scheme.  The money raised will be used to make improvements to the Village Hall facilities.

  


Technology:   3.89kWp Sharp Solar PV Panels

Energy output: 3,339kWh/year

Feed-in Tariff Income: £1400/first year

Carbon saving: 1,1816kg CO2/year

 

 

 

 


 

Church Solar Panels, North Wales

Project: St Peter's Church, Ruthin
Location: North Wales
Date: May 2011


St Peters ChurchSt Peters Church in Ruthin is the latest community building to have a solar pv installation by The Green Electrician. Funded by Cadwyn Clwyd, the system of 18 Sharp panels included a black mounting frame and black framed panels to ensure the system blended into the roof as far as possible. The panels were located in a valley between roof areas so they are not easily visible.

The panels will generate 2807kWp of electricity a year and will provide an income to the Church of around £1400 (11% return).

"The new solar panels will help fund the lighting of the historic artwork on our church gates," said Church representative, Jessica Lloyd Jones. "This is an important project for us that dovetails into our involvement in the Ruthin Art Trail."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technology:   3.33kWp Sharp 185 Monocrystalline Solar PV

Energy output: 2,807kWh/year

Carbon saving: 1527kg CO2/year

 

Blackthorn Primary School, Sussex

Project: Blackthorn Primary School
Location: Lindfield, Sussex
Date: March 2010

 

 

Solar panels on schoolThe Green Electrician was approached to design and install a flat roof, solar pv system on a primary school in Lindfield, Sussex. After conducting a site survey we liased with the project co-ordinator, network supplier and Governors to design a 10kWp array of 56 Sharp 180W panels to be installed on a single storey, flat roof.  We also installed a display unit to show instantaneous power output and historical data, to be used for educational purposes within the school.  The project took three days to install and was completed within the deadline of the school half term holidays.

 

Technology:   10.08kWp Sharp 180 Monocrystalline Solar PV

Energy output: 8,928kWh/year

Carbon saving: 4857kg CO2/year

 

 

 

 

PV Installer Cheshire

Project: Photovoltaic Installation Village Hall
Location: Bickerton Village Hall, Cheshire
Date: March 2009


 
cheshire village hall solar pv installation“The solar panels are great. They are creating a huge amount of local interest. I am surprised that more people in this country don’t know about solar PV.”

Carol Shadbolt, Bickerton Village Hall

The Green Electrician installed a 4.86kWp photovoltaic system for this rural village hall in South Cheshire.  Prior to the installation, we helped provide quotations and paperwork to secure 100% funding and planning permission for the installation. 

Our initial site survey confirmed size of roof, access, pitch and structure.  We designed an array of 27 x Sharp, 180W panels providing an estimated 4,100kW/year.  The array will provide immediate income through selling surplus electricity to the local electricity supplier. 

We also mounted a public display inside the entrance so that Hall users and local school children can monitor the amount of electricity being produced and CO2 saved at any time.
 
Technology: 4.86kWp Solar Photovoltaic
Energy Output: 4,100kW/yr
Carbon saving: 1,793kg CO2/year
Budget: £30,000
Funding: 100% grant funding from Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2, Community Sustainable Fund, North West Climate Fund

community case study - St Alkmunds church

Project: Solar PV Installation
Location: St Alkmunds Church, Shrewsbury
Date: September 2008


St Alkmunds with Solar Panels

 
“This is such a good example of how a listed building can be discretely fitted with modern, renewable technology, my thanks goes to Stephen and his team.“

Reverend Richard Hayes

We were approached to install solar PV on the roof of the 15th Century, Grade II* listed St Alkmunds Church in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.  We were asked to step in late into the project, replacing a previous contractor.  Our brief was to ensure the panels were hidden discretely behind the parapet.

The project had a deadline of 30 days, as the solar PV installation had to be completed alongside the re-roofing of the church.  We completed the project within the deadline.  This included securing Government Phase II grant funding through the Low Carbon Partnership, surveying the site, designing the roof mounted array and installing 22 x 180W Sharp monocrystalline modules. 

The 3.96kWp system has an expected output of around 3,500 kW hours per annum to be used to offset current electricity bills.  The system was fitted with a remote display showing how much energy has been produced and CO2 savings.

Technology: 3.96kWp Solar PV
Funding: 100% grant funding including EDF Energy Green Energy Fund, LCBP Phase II, Lichfield Diocese
Energy output: 3,500kWh/year
Carbon saving: 1,505kg CO2/year

Budget: £24,000