The result
A 71.76 kWp commercial solar system designed to reduce electricity costs and future-proof the site for Notgrove Holidays.
The system is estimated to generate 57,353 kWh a year and deliver an approximate £9,029 financial benefit in year one, while hybrid inverters leave open the option of adding battery storage in future.
At a glance
Location
Sector
Tourism, hospitality & agriculture
System Size
71.76 kWp
Panels
156 × 460W AIKO Neostar
inverters
2 × Growatt MID XH 25kW
Existing Use
Approx. 42,000 kWh
EST. Generation
57,353 kWh
Est. Year-one Benefit
Approx. £9,029
Est. Payback
7 years
Est. CO₂ Reduction
11,871 kg per year
EST. solar exported
75%
Est. solar used on site
25%
The client’s objective
Notgrove Holidays already had experience of solar installations across other properties and wanted to extend that approach to this site.
The objective was to reduce electricity costs, increase energy independence and future-proof the property, while creating a system that could be expanded with battery storage later if required.
The project was self-funded.
The Phase Energy solution
We designed a 71.76 kWp commercial solar PV system using 156 AIKO Neostar 460W panels.
The array was installed across the roof areas selected with the client, using east- and west-facing aspects to make effective use of the available building.
Two Growatt MID XH 25kW hybrid inverters were specified. Although no batteries were included at this stage, the hybrid inverter configuration makes it easier for the client to introduce battery storage in future if their energy strategy changes.
Why the system was designed this way
Phase Energy applied for the maximum generation capacity available through the standard G99 route, with 50 kW of generation approved and a 40 kW export limit.
The chosen roof areas reflected both the east/west orientation of the building and the client’s preference for the parts of the roof they wanted to use.
Because export was limited to 40 kW, the design also needed to take account of how much solar electricity could be used directly on site rather than simply exported.
The decision to use hybrid inverters gives Notgrove Holidays flexibility to add battery storage in future without having to redesign the complete system.
Installation
Weather was the main challenge during the installation.
The solar array was being fitted to a fibre-cement roof, and periods of very wet weather made it unsafe for the team to continue working on the roof.
Rather than compromise safety, Phase Energy left site on several occasions and returned when conditions had improved.
The overall installation therefore took just over one week.
Predicted energy and financial performance
Estimated annual generation
57,353 kWh
Existing annual electricity use
Approx. 37,893 kWh*
Estimated electricity demand covered by solar
Approx. 35%
Estimated solar generation used on site
Approx. 25%
Estimated solar generation exported
Approx. 75%
Estimated year-one financial benefit
Approx. £9,029
Estimated payback
7 years
Estimated CO₂ reduction
11,871 kg per year
These figures are proposal-stage estimates rather than guarantees. Actual performance will depend on weather conditions, site electricity demand, tariffs and future changes in energy use.
Future battery storage
No battery storage was installed as part of this phase of the project.
However, the Growatt hybrid inverters were selected partly to make future battery installation more straightforward if Notgrove Holidays decides that additional on-site storage would be beneficial.
More Commercial Solar Projects
See some more examples of happy client projects below
-
Commercial Solar Installation for Britelite Windows, Maidstone
A commercial solar system predicted to generate 45,802 kWh a year with a 3–4 year…
-
Commercial Solar Installation at Frith Farm, Tadley, Hampshire
A 71.76 kWp farm solar system predicted to generate 66,039 kWh a year with a…
-
Commercial Solar Installation for a Farm in Malton, North Yorkshire
Estimated to generate 21,259 kWh a year with a five-year payback.