Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust - Solar PV Case Study - Solarsense
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Client
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
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Sector
Non-Profit
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Technology
Solar PV
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System Size
27.28kWp
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Estimated Annual Output
22,717kWh
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Annual Carbon Savings
4,814kg
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Payback Period
4 years
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25 Year Net Profit
£454,903
Client
Solar PV System
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust initially relied on utility companies providing renewable energy to power its sites. However, the team identified that the Head Office and Visitor Centre at Robinswood Hill Country Park accounted for their highest energy costs. To address this, they explored options to reduce expenses and allocate more funding toward conservation efforts. Acting on a strong recommendation from the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, they approached Solarsense for a solution.
Following a detailed feasibility study, including a technical review and site survey, the design engineers at Solarsense specified a 27kWp solar PV system comprised of 440W solar PV panels and SolarEdge optimisers. This allowed the trust to maximise their on-site energy generation from the available roof space and significantly reduce their reliance on buying electricity from the National Grid.
By opting for SolarEdge optimisers and online monitoring, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust were able to overcome an issue with shading on their roof caused by nearby trees. In a conventional solar PV system, the solar panels are connected in strings and if one panel is shaded it will affect the output of all the panels in the connected string. In comparison with SolarEdge optimisers, each solar panel or pair of panels operate independently, ensuring the PV system operates to its maximum potential. SolarEdge also offers several enhanced safety features, as well as a detailed monitoring portal to enable businesses to get a full picture of what the solar PV system is generating, how much energy is being used on-site and what is being exported to the grid.
Services provided
- Feasibility study including detailed technical design and financial forecasting
- Full supply, installation, commissioning and testing
- Online monitoring portal configuration
- Full handover including MCS registration, G99 grid connection, operation and maintenance pack
From the client
“We work hard to reconnect people with nature, and to show them ways they can help make a difference. Now we can point to our Solar PV as an example of how we run our business sustainably, saving precious funds for our work in the county. The actual installation was made wonderfully easy. The team guided me through the process and were sympathetic to our site and needs a a visitor centre. If I had to score them, it would definitely be ten out of ten.”