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RED Electrical - Solar Panels in Colne, Lancashire - A Case Study

Case Study

Our client asked us to quote to install a 3.9kWp system of solar panels at his house in Colne, Lancashire. We prepared a quotation together with full yield calculations. After considering the costs and calculated annual yields, our client placed an order.

Solar Panels in Colne, Aerial Photo of site

Aerial photo (obtained from Google Earth)

Overview

The property has a large tiled roof, the rear elevation of which faces between south and south-east (approximately 20°). The pitch of the roof is approximately 35°.

There is no overshading. The solar panels were to be installed as two rows of ten in the centre of the roof.

The Roof Installation

Roof anchor being installed

The modules were mounted onto the roof using a purpose-made system of anchors and rails. The galvanised steel anchors were installed onto the roof spars above the roofing felt, to fully maintain the weather protection of the roof.

This roof is constructed of interlocking concrete tiles. The anchors have a wide mounting plate so that its position can be adjusted to avoid fouling the interlocking area of the tiles.

Tile back in place and anchor fitted

All the anchors were secured this way, then the tiles above had channels cut into their underside to accommodate the anchors. They were then carefully moved back into place to their original position. This leaves the anchors protruding from beneath the tiles and leaves the roof as watertight as it was before.

Aluminium rails were then secured across the system of anchors, and the solar panels secured to the rails with purpose-made clamps. Unfortunately we could not photograph this stage of the installation due to inclement weather.

The cables from the solar panels were enclosed within protective conduit as they enter the roof via a modified tile vent. Any loose cables were secured to the mounting system using UV-resistant nylon cable ties to protect them from abrasion from the tiles, and to prevent leaves etc being trapped by them.

The Electrical Equipment

An EverSolar 3200TL inverter was chosen for this installation. The equipment, pictured below, is as follows:

Solar Panels in Colne, Inverter and Isolators

The electrical equipment

D.C. cables from solar array
D.C. isolators (for maintenance purposes)
EverSolar 3200TL Inverter
A.C. isolator (for maintenance purposes)
OFGEM approved meter to record generation
Energy monitor transmitter
A.C. cables to consumer unit

Metering

Finally, an additional electric meter was installed (pictured above, no 5). This measures the output of the solar PV system and is used by the energy company to calculate the payments that the owner will receive under the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme.

We also installed a complimentary energy monitor that allows the owner to monitor the system without having to look at the inverter or the OFGEM meter.

The installation was fully tested and commissioned and the owner is provided with a comprehensive information pack, which includes operating manuals, all testing and commissioning certificates, warranty information, approval certificates and a declaration of conformity with MCS requirements.

Annual Yield

Total annual yield from system = 3369kWh, worth over £1440 per year.

Annual yield by month

Further pictures

Below are some further pictures of the installation showing the solar panels in place:

Solar panels in Colne