Location: Loughton, Essex
Scope of project:
Size of system: 3.6 kWp
Number of panels: 20
Manufacturer: BP Solar
Type of panel: Mono-Crystalline 180W
Inverter Model: SMA Sunny Boy 3300
Annual Output: 2472 kWh/year
Annual Benefit: £1281/year (tax free and to rise with inflation)
Co2 reduction: 1288 kg/year
This project involved the design and install of a Solar PV (photovoltaic) system on a south facing roof in Loughton, Essex. The system is a 3.6kw array. This is an ideal fit in terms of the roof space available on the house and the benefit it provides the owner through it’s eligibility for a higher rate in the Feed in Tariff.
The install, which is a retrofit, is comprised of 20 x 180W Mono-crystalline panels. Along with a considerable high return from the generation tariff, when electricity use in the building is less than that being produced, the excess is exported back to the energy supplier (via a meter) who pays the customer for this un-used electricity. Furthermore, as the customer is generating their own electricity they also have benefited from a reduction in their electricity bills. RGE Services have also incorporated a Bluetooth device synced to the system which enables the customer to monitor detailed information on the system’s operation, performance and yields.
The owner of the property has invested in the system out of his sense of environmental and social responsibility:
“It is goal of mine to make others aware that by reducing our carbon footprint we can reduce our reliance upon fossil fuels whilst generating our own clean green energy…
What people need to also understand is that with Solar PV there is an added benefit where you are financially rewarded for being green as this is, financially, a very viable opportunity with lucrative benefits; especially for the domestic market”.
Location: Victoria Park, Hackney
Scope of project:
Size of system: 1.25 kWp
Number of panels: 5
Manufacturer: Hyundai
Type of panel: Mono-Crystalline 250W
Inverter Model: SMA Sunny Boy 1200
Annual Output: 1073 kWh/year
Annual Benefit: £557/year (tax free and to rise with inflation)
Co2 reduction: 559 kg/year
Mr Sprange and his partner were considering installing photovoltaics for a while through their desire to make a long term investment that would help them in the future. They had considered PV but when it was announced the feed in tariff would be reduced, they decided it was time to commit. RGE Services were recommended to Mr Sprange and his wife by their friend and neighbour; also an RGE Customer.
RGE Services designed a 5 panel system which would be an ideal fit for their slated hip roof. As the roof was quite small, for a high output to be achieved it was essential a high wattage panel be installed. The Hyundai 250Watt Mono-crystalline panel was selected by the customer for this reason; this accompanied by the fact the roof was south facing and at a very ideal 30 degree angle, resulted in the install being viable in that it provided a healthy financial return and benefit over the lifespan of the contract.
Mr Sprange is an advocate of clean energy and spent many years campaigning against the consequences of nuclear power and it’s volatile effects when it goes wrong. Mr Sprange says: “The issue of climate change is huge with big consequences to the world as we know it. Being less dependent on fossil fuels with their CO2 load is a partial step forward”.
Location: Victoria Park, Hackney
Scope of project:
Size of system: 3.0 kWp
Number of panels: 12
Manufacturer: Hyundai
Type of panel: Mono-Crystalline 250W
Inverter Model: SMA Sunny Boy 1200
Annual Output: 1753 kWh/year
Annual Benefit: £909/year (tax free and to rise with inflation)
Co2 reduction: 913 kg/year
Mr Lower’s install consisted of 12 Hyundai Mono-crystalline panels comprised on two roofs on his four-storey house in Hackney, East London. In our design process and after realising there are two roofs available for panels it was decided the best course of action, in accordance to Mr Lower’s desire to utilise the two roofs and earn a higher tariff, was to install two arrays facing opposite one another connected by two strings and two sunny boy 1200 inverters. Even though one roof had a hatch in the middle of it we were able to install 12 panels (6 on each roof). This has given Mr Lower a higher output from the 250W panels and subsequently a higher tariff rate in the feed in tariff.
Mr Lower says: “I have always been very interested in locally produced renewable energy and the government scheme now made it seem realistic as well as idealistic. I had arranged for an installer to come in the New Year and when the government announced it’s plans to lower the tariff I tried to get it brought forward but without success. At this point I contacted RGE through a referral service and they were able to turn the job around very quickly. RGE were very diligent in ensuring we met the deadlines and that the paperwork (as well as the installation) was all sorted out correctly.
I love the little Bluetooth solar powered display and now I have even more reason to be cheerful when the sun is shining!”
- Mr Lower
