Considering a Solar Project? – SJ1 Renewables Ltd

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Considering a Solar Project?

Desktop Assessment

We will carry out a review of your site layout and its potential to accommodate a solar system, making recommendations for sizing and layout and which technology is best suited for your premises. We produce a report containing estimates of installation costs, yield and payback period. This will give you a clear overview of your solar project and help you decide on the best option.

Feasibility Study

We will assess your property conditions, location-specific historical weather data, interconnection feasibility and permitting considerations to provide you with a comprehensive renewable energy analysis. The feasibility study presents a system designed in outline, detailing all the information required to make the licence and permit applications and connecting to the grid, prior to producing a detailed design and moving into the construction phase of a solar scheme.

Part of our analysis includes discussing battery storage options with you to suit your individual needs.

Detailed Site Survey

The factors needed to determine the ideal location of a solar power plant include open flat areas and no shadowing trees or buildings. During a site visit we assess the exact location where the solar panels will be installed. We collect information about local conditions and issues before any proposal is made. The amount of detail depends on the scope of the project. The site is surveyed to establish:

Space availability for the solar PV installation
Climate condition of the site i.e. shade, solar irradiation level, temperature and variation in wind speed
Site usage
Permit and consent requirements
Grid connection point
Size and location of existing electrical connection
Location for mounting solar system components
Location for battery storage

Permits and Consents

Installing solar panels and equipment on roofs of residential buildings and land may be ‘permitted development’ which means there is no requirement to apply for planning permission with the Local Planning Authority. There are, however, important limits and conditions which must be met to benefit from these permitted development rights. If your building or property site is designated as historical or part of a world heritage site or an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), you will need to acquire permission.

Other considerations that need to be made is if the building is on Article 2(3) designated land and the equipment is not installed on a wall or roof slope with fronts a highway. Alternatively if capacity for electricity generation across your site exceeds 1 megawatt (1 MW) for roof-mounted commercial solar panels, then planning permission will more than likely be required. Ground mounted solar PV whether domestic or commercial do require planning permission.

We carry out all the necessary consultations with the relevant authorities on your behalf to ensure all of the limits and conditions will be met and that you have all the licences and permits required to complete your project.

System performance

Photovoltaic system performance is a function of the climatic conditions, equipment used and the system configuration. Performance is measured as the ratio of actual solar PV system output vs expected values throughout the year. Annual energy capture is calculated based on the speific conditions to your site and provided within our intial feasibility report .

Project Cost and Payback Analysis

Whole system costs are estimated based on our extensive experience in system design and installation. The system cost for both initial capital costs and ongoing maintenance are evaluated against the anticipated revenue stream. We provide a comprehensive payback model based on our findings, ensuring that you have a realistic view of the costs and revenue of the project.

Solar System Design

Solar PV systems are bespoke designed for each site as no two sites are the same and includes different components that are selected according to your system type, site location and applications. Each aspect has to be carefully considered and experience over the range of engineering disciplines is essential to ensure systems perform well, for life. At SJ1 Renewables, we take care of all aspects:

Ground condition verification
Site layout drawings
Pitch and orientation
Existing plant and access points
Shading issues
Cable routing and grid connection
Space for an inverter
Battery storage facility
Electrical connection schematics
Electrical single line drawings

Installation

The installation work is the final stage of what is often a relatively lengthy process. It is the exciting moment when we finally break ground, where months of hard work become a reality with the arrival of parts, plant machines and peoplepower. We collaborate with respected and competent local contractors together with our experienced engineers to provide you with the best of local resource and our know-how. Projects of this size are covered under health and safety legislation of Construction Design and Management (CDM). Our project management skills and health and safety experience means work is controlled, carried out safely, and quality is maintained. The phase of the project consists of:

Ground or roof mounts (including scaffolding)
Excavations, Post knocking, form work, steel reinforcement, concrete pour and finishing
Cable laying and trenching
Mounting system build
Panel laying
Electrical installation
Electrical test certification
Maintenance and servicing

Maintenance and Servicing

We can be with you every step of the way. This includes comprehensive after care services to ensure you get the most out of your solar system. Contact us today to take the next steps to decentralising your energy provider.

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Let’s change the way we think about and use power; one embedded generator at a time!