Case Study Information
- Type: Newbuild
- Stage: Operational
- Design standard: Building Regulations
- Heating measure: Solar PV
Description
Installation of 2 Solar PV arrays on the roof of an Extra Care Scheme in Merthyr. The building consists of 59 flats with large communal areas. They have a communal kitchen and laundry flats. The scheme was built in 2012.
The PV Panels feed into the communal supply that feeds the flats and communal area. The Total Installed Capacity is 38.48kWh with an estimated annual generation of 31982kWh. This equates to an estimated 10% saying in electricity costs which will be passed on to the residents.
Project learning
The key learning is that the generation is fully used so there is no need for battery storage which was originally the plan. The future learning is to design the Solar PV array before future grant claims.
Project innovation
The billing method at this extra care property allowed the use of just one invertor. This means Hafod can pay the reduced electricity bill and pass on savings equally to the residents so everyone gets an equal share.
Challenges
The room where the inverter was installed required retrospective ventilation due to heat build-up activating the heat and fire alarms.