RHA Wales – Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council ORP 1
Solar PV and battery storage were supplied to 12 social rented properties and installed by Welsh Manufacturer GB-Sol
Background
Solar PV and battery storage were supplied to 12 social rented properties in the CF72 post code area and installed by Welsh Manufacturer GB-Sol. Due to the timing of the requirements to spend ORP 1, RHA switched to a Solar PV project focusing on twelve homes with south facing roofs in good condition. IES were supplied by Sero and these were installed by our local framework contractor Flair. The project stared in March 2017 and was completed by September 2021.
Project learning
This was the first Solar PV and battery installation project for RHA, therefore general learning was obtained regarding how the project is run and the key milestones of the project. We also learnt that the grid currently can not accommodate full export in some areas and an export limitation of 1 kw was enforced by the National Grid.
Project innovation
RHA utilised the services of GB-Sol who are a local Welsh manufacturer and installer of Solar PV panels. We also installed batteries to further increase the consumption of energy generated from the solar PV.
EPC A/rdSAP 92 was our key driver in preparation for the requirements of WHQS 2023.
Challenges
The main challenge was access to properties. RHA visited each tenant to explain the works being completed however despite this, two tenants refused the works, so substitute local properties had to be found so that the project could be delivered.
We faced no challenges with workforce or skills. GB-Sol are an experienced specialist contractor and Flair, once trained by Sero, were competent to install the IES systems