[ Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ] [ Spotlight: ECA Sevenoaks
microgeneration installation expert and ECA member Hughes Group, schedules were rearranged in order to fi nish the project before the proposed cut off date. Based in Ascot, Berkshire, Hughes Group has been
involved with the installation of renewable energy technologies for many years. Simon Witney is the company’s technical director, and comments: ‘We are able to offer a service incorporating the best possible products, installation experts, advice and maintenance of all systems. We are also members of the Microgeneration Certifi cation Scheme (MCS) – an independent scheme that certifi es microgeneration products and installers in accordance with consistent standards. Only MCS certifi ed installers can offer FITs.’
Panel decision November and December 2011 was an extremely busy period for the company, as customers raced to meet the FIT deadline. One of the main problems was the limited availability of solar PV panels and inverters, and Witney says: ‘During this time, manufacturers and distributors struggled to keep pace with demand. However, via our long established contacts in the industry, we were able to secure eight 245W Sunmodule panels from SolarWorld and a Sunny Boy inverter.’ Each panel is guaranteed for 10 years, and SolarWorld
claims that they will only lose a maximum of 0.7 per cent of their effi ciency year on year, offering 90 per cent effi ciency over 25 years. They also have an excellent nominal effi ciency rating of 14.6 per cent.
Effi ciency drive The Sunny Boy inverter on the ECA installation is UL certifi ed and features excellent effi ciency. Hughes Group’s Simon Witney states: ‘One notable feature is the integrated DC disconnect switch, which simplifi es installation and ensures safety as well as saving time. These models feature galvanic isolation and can be used with all types of modules – crystalline as well as thin-fi lm.’ With a peak effi ciency of 97 per cent, it also features
the company’s OptiCool active temperature management system, and can automatically shut down in the event of high/low grid AC voltage, high/low grid frequency, grid failure or inverter malfunction. It also automatically adjusts PV array loading to provide maximum effi ciency of the solar panels by means of a maximal power point tracker (MPPT).
In its place Work began on the installation on 5 December and, because the panels were to be located on a fl at roof, it was decided to use the Suntub fl at roof system by SolarWorld, which provided a 28° pitch. The roof is made of concrete slabs that could not be
drilled into so, in order to secure the Suntubs to the roof, they are located in plastic moulded consoles that are weighed down by ballast. The Suntubs have been installed next to each other to limit the impact of wind, and aluminium mounting and fi xing rails have been put through the buckets and secured to the roof.
The solar PV installation took Hughes Group just under four days to complete
Although the project was fairly straightforward, it was
important to make sure that the cabling was protected. The DC power cables were routed through the boiler house to the inverter, which meant that the cable had to be put in galvanised trunking to protect it, as a boiler room is considered to be a corrosive environment. The cable from the inverter was then taken to the consumer unit on the fl oor above.
The internal meter and isolation point (top) and Sunny Boy inverter (below)
Benefi t check The installation took just under four days to complete and was signed off on 10 December. Commenting on the installation, the ECA’s David Shrimpton concludes: ‘I am thoroughly impressed with the way that the Hughes Group went about this job. Risk assessments, health and safety information and method statements were all presented in good time and we are delighted to be able to do our bit to relieve the strain on the grid. All we need now are some long sunny days to make the most of it!’
Fact fi le About the author
Rob Shepherd Rob Shepherd is a freelance journalist and regular contributor to ECA Today, and has worked in the electrical contracting industry for more than 12 years.
The ECA’s solar PV installation will: ■ Qualify for the 43.3p FIT; ■ Have an estimated payback time of seven years and nine months;
■ Produce 1.9kW of power; ■ Provide an estimated income from FITs of £768 during 2012;
■ Get paid 3.1p per kWh for the electricity it sells back to its energy supplier; and
■ Save £893 in the fi rst year of operation.
Spring/Summer 2010March 2012 ECA Today
13
31
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72