The result
Madginford Hall now has a 14.1 kWp solar and battery system designed to reduce reliance on grid electricity while providing whole-building backup during a power outage.
The system is estimated to cover around 86% of the hall’s annual electricity requirement and deliver approximately £2,064 in electricity savings and export income in year one.
The estimated payback is based on the full project cost, despite the installation itself being fully funded through National Lottery funding.
At a glance
Location
1186
Sector
Community & leisure / charity
System Size
14.1 kWp
Panels
30 × AIKO Neostar 3S 470W
Battery Storage
2 × Fox ESS EP12 – approx. 23 kWh total
Existing Use
Approx. 5,500 kWh
EST. Generation
12,368 kWh
Est. Year-one Benefit
Approx. £2,064
Est. Payback
9 years
Est. CO₂ Reduction
2,475 kg per year
Demand Covered
Approx. 86%
solar used on site
Approx. 40%
The client’s objective
Backup power was a meaningful part of the brief rather than simply an optional addition.
The system is designed to provide whole-hall backup within the 10 kW inverter capacity and the available battery charge.
As an illustration, Phase Energy estimates that if the batteries were fully charged and the hall restricted electricity demand to around a 2 kW critical load, the stored energy could support that level of demand for approximately 10 hours.
Actual backup duration would depend on battery state of charge and the electrical loads being used during the outage.
The Phase Energy solution
We designed a 14.1 kWp solar PV system using 30 AIKO Neostar 3S 470W panels across the building’s east- and west-facing roof areas.
The array was paired with a Fox ESS KH 10kW hybrid inverter and two Fox ESS EP12 11.52 kWh batteries, providing approximately 23 kWh of battery storage.
A Fox ESS backup system was also incorporated so that the hall can continue to receive power during a grid outage, within the capabilities of the inverter, the available battery charge and the electrical demand at the time.
Why the system was designed this way
The panel layout makes use of both the east- and west-facing roof areas, allowing solar generation to be spread across more of the day.
The client selected the larger battery capacity to provide greater storage and resilience.
Battery storage also complements the site’s grid connection arrangements. The DNO approval included a 6.5 kW export limit, so storing more of the electricity generated on site gives the hall greater opportunity to use that energy rather than relying solely on export.
Installation
The client wanted the inverter, batteries and associated equipment positioned away from areas accessible to the public.
Accommodating this requirement added some additional work to the installation, including extra wiring for the Fox ESS backup equipment.
The project was completed over two days.
Predicted energy and financial performance
Existing annual electricity use
Approx. 5,500 kWh
Estimated annual generation
12,368 kWh
Estimated electricity demand covered by solar
Approx. 86%
Estimated solar generation used on site
Approx. 40%
Estimated solar generation exported
Approx. 60%
Estimated year-one financial benefit
Approx. £2,064
Estimated payback
9 years
Estimated CO₂ reduction
2,475 kg per year
The estimated payback is based on the full project cost, despite the installation itself being funded through National Lottery funding.
All performance and financial figures are proposal-stage estimates rather than guarantees. Actual results will depend on weather conditions, electricity use, tariffs and battery operation.
Finance
The installation was fully funded using National Lottery funding secured by the client.
The precise funding programme has not yet been confirmed for publication, so I would keep the wording at this level unless Phase Energy receives further details.
Customer experience
What they said
“Phase Energy fitted panels on my property and recently on a village hall I help manage. The install was well organised on both properties and very tidily done. My experience with Phase Energy has been very positive.”
Google review – Val Springett
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