Solar Case Studies - Domestic

Fernside is a residential development which is managed by Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH) and consists of 30 social housing properties a mixture of bungalows and blocks of flats. Kirkless Metropolitan Council have been proactive in the deployment of various renewable energy technologies for some time.

Kirkless Neighbourhood Housing identified Photon Energy as the preferred installer to deliver the project on time and within budget. Each system consisted of 8 Sharp polycrystalline modules with an output of 1.296kWp these were connected to individual dwellings so that the tenants could benefit directly by reducing their electricity bill. As Adrian Owen - Energy Officer at KNH explains "This is another successful project contributing towards Kirkless Neighbourhood Housing s growing portfolio of renewable installation"

The PV scheme follows on from an earlier project under which 100 similar PV systems were installed, on adjacent properties by the same team.

The installation took six weeks to install and 4 days to commission.

The local authority required the development of The Peabody Trust and The Housing Corporation which consisted of 16 residential apartments on a part tenanted, part ownership scheme to have 10% of the apartment's predicted energy use to be supplied by on site renewable sources. The developer turned to South Facing Ltd for a professional and cost effective solution. Alternergy Ltd was the European distributor chosen to supply all the hardware for the system including the modules, inverters and mounting frames. Sharp modules were chosen as the most cost effective and high quality solution available on the market.

The large south facing roof was an ideal site to install 9 kWp of Sharp Solar PV modules. PV was chosen as the preferable renewable source for it s long service life and very low maintenance The Sharp modules were chosen for their quality, value for money and reliability of supply.

The installation was successfully integrated into a tight build programme and did not disrupt any other services whilst the installation was taking place. The installed system successfully reduces the occupant’s carbon emissions and electricity consumption. It has helped create a greater awareness of energy use and renewable energy among occupants and the wider community. The system was commissioned only four months after tendering and the developer has been so encouraged by positive buyer response that they are planning to incorporate PV systems more widely.

A grid connected 1 kWp solar PV array, small scale 300 wind turbine and solar thermal hot water system have been installed and commissioned by Aylesbury based Ardenham Energy Ltd in Heath & Reach in South Bedfordshire. It is one of the first properties in the UK to include all 3 renewable technologies, and the first to source generation equipment from organisations with manufacturing facilities in the UK.

The installation was undertaken following planning approval by South Bedfordshire District Council in April 2006. The electricity generated from the PV array and wind turbine is synchronised with the grid supply and will be used to supply clean energy to the property. Excess energy will be exported to the grid for use elsewhere. The evacuated tube solar thermal system provides hot water to the cylinder within the property.

The 1kWp PV array made up of 6 170Wp PV Modules manufactured by Sharp (UK) in Wrexham will generate 800 units+ per annum equivalent to 25% of the properties electricity consumption.