Solar Photovoltaics

Ben Harrison, Head of Mypower

Renewable Energy Specialist, Surveyor & Farmer

Introduction - Solar PV

All Angles Covered

• Why Solar PV

• How solar PV and the Feed in Tariff works

• Deciding on the system size, type and location

• Financial costs, returns and benefits

• Roof and ground fixings and structural implications

• Consents and certificates the latest regulations – planning, DNO, EPC

• Health & Safety – the land owner’s responsibility

• Exporting your power

• Maintenance

125kw Cornwall Potato farmer

Stow Rugby Club

50kw ground mount

Bourton-on-the-Water

Benefits of Solar PV

• 14% + First year return on capital widely achieved.

• Government backed, 20 year Feed In Tariff “generation subsidy”

increases with inflation.

• Low risk – Proven technology and yield predictions, if the sun stops

shining ……….

• Finance readily available.

• Simple technology – no moving parts.

• Little maintenance.

• Long system life with robust warranties.

• The most suitable form of generation where cooling systems used.

Feed In Tariff rates –

To increase annually by RPI

• 10 – 50 kW – 12.57p/kWh Next Review 30 March 2014 likely to drop

3.5%

• 50 – 150 kW – 10.71p/kWh Next Review 30 March 2014.

• 150 – 250 kW – 10.25p/kWh Next Review 30 March 2014.

• 250 – 5000 kW – 6.61p/kWh Next Review 30 March 2014.

• Minimum Ofgem exported electricity price 4.64p/kwh in addition to the

above, increasing by RPI. PPA’s 5 – 5.5p

• Own consumption savings in addition to the above – 9p to 14p / kWh

increasing rapidly!

Grid connected PV systems

Is it for me?

What are my objectives?

• Reduce Bills?

• Energy Security?

• Green Credentials to improve marketing?

• Diversification Project?

• Best use of underutilised assets?

• Pension Pot?

Is it for me?

What are my objectives?

• Reduce Bills?

• Energy Security?

• Green Credentials to improve marketing?

• Diversification Project?

• Best use of underutilised assets?

• Pension Pot?

“Making more money from cost savings + additional income to give a good

return on capital invested, with as little hassle as possible !”

What Size System?

• Grid capability – Existing connection and upgrade costs.

• Roof / Ground Area

• Structural capability

• Money available and budget

• Power used on site

• Investment return required

• Town planning

Costs & Returns

Case Study - Cornwall

• 124.8 kwh (520 REC panels)

• 123,850 kwh of electricity produced per annum

• £170,000 - Total system cost inc. £40,000 of power upgrades.

• £13,739 pa from Feed in Tariff of 11.1p / kwh for all electricity produced

• £ 2,822 pa for electricity exported to the grid at 5.7p / kwh (40%)

• £ 7,427 pa for electricity sold to tenant / kwh (60%)

• £23,998 pa total income year 1.

• 14.1% - Landlord first year return on capital - payback 7.1 years

• £710,000 plus – projected total income and savings over 20 years

• 25 – 40 years – anticipated system life.

Ongoing maintenance and running costs per annum

• Insurance £400

• Panel Cleaning £600

• Metering Costs £200

• Admin £250

• Total £1,450

Case Study - Evesham

• Building – 35m x 12.8m. South West facing slope -12 degree pitch.

• 50 kW (208 REC Panels)

• 46,136 kWh of electricity produced PA

• 20 T - CO2 emissions avoided per annum.

• £53,000 – Fully installed cost.

• £ 9,052 - Projected first year income and savings.

• 17.2% - Projected first year return on capital invested

• 5.8 Years - System payback before finance, tax and capital allowance

benefits.

• £258,654 - Total projected income and savings over 20 years after

indexation.

Roof V Ground

• Planning considerations

• Structural implications

• Maximising orientation and inclination

• Pitch & Orientation 30 & S 12 & S 12 & SW 12 & W

• Yield kWh 49,800 47,000 46,000 43,000

• Yr 1 inc. £9,770 £9,200 £9,050 £8,450

• Return 18.6% 17.5% 17.2% 16.0%

• Payback 5.4 yrs 5.7 yrs 5.8 yrs 6.2 yrs

• Maintenance

• Fencing & Security

Fixings

Fixings

Fixings

Planning / DNO / EPC

• Planning regulations are now much more relaxed for roof based subject

to specifics. Ground based generally still requires consent.

• DNO approval is the very first thing to address.

• For systems of 50kw or more upgrade costs of £17k to £20k are

common but still worthwhile.

• By thinking outside of the box, there are often ways of reducing the

upgrade cost.

• EPC is unlikely to be a stumbling block in the majority of cases, but

assess early.

Health and Safety

• Roofs are dangerous – Land owners are also responsible for work

carried out.

• Ensure Installers are fully compliant, use proper scaffolding and safety

nets.

• Those who cut corners and have accidents can result in fines for you

and even the HSE shutting down the business during an investigation.

Exporting your power

• Ensure you / your installer knows what they are doing.

• Under 30kWp installed and your export is usually deemed at 50% of

generation.

• Over 30kWp and an export meter is required.

• Costs are usually offset by the ability to sell your power at a higher

price.

• Be careful and ask the right questions to keep costs to a minimum.

Warranties, Maintenance &

Monitoring

• Inverter warranties are typically 10 years but can be extended to 20

years.

• Panel warranties vary considerably but look for:

• 10 year product warranty.

• 25 year linear performance warranty producing 80% after 25 years.

• Positive Watt tolerances.

• Workmanship warranties should be a minimum of 3 years and preferably

5.

• An annual clean of the panels is advisable to optimise your output.

• Monitoring is a personal choice and costs can range from £200 to

£2,000. However do keep an eye on your system.

Ongoing requirements

• A high quality and professional installer will not only install the panels for

you, within the quote they will:

• Give open honest advice at the outset as if it was their own system.

• Provide a feasibility report, quotation and cover all additional costs that may be

incurred.

• Project manage and deal with the DNO, EPC, Export meters, FiT forms etc…

• Offer monitoring systems and full post installation training and support.

• This simply leaves you to:

• Check the system remains switched on.

• Provide meter readings once a quarter.

• Wash the panels annually.

• Enjoy using your own electricity whilst making a healthy profit.

Pitfalls

• Shading

• Dirty panels

• Export process and paperwork

• Unprofessional Installers

• Poor quality products

Not an Owner Occupier?

We have advised many landlords and tenants independently as to how a

solar PV system can be a win win situation for both parties.

• Highly experienced with Domestic, Agricultural and Commercial

• Privately owned - Small enough to care large enough to do 1 MW.

• Full turnkey package and project management

• High quality products and services at competitive rates

• MCS, REAL & NAPIT accredited ensuring quality processes.

• In house installation teams ensuring quality and control.

• Exemplary Health & Safety record.

• An abundance of references available upon request.

Mypower company overview

• 40 KW Mixed Farm, Glos.

• 30 KW Dairy, Worcestershire

• 30 KW Sheep farmer, Redditch.

• 355 KW Commercial Landlord with tenant, Cornwall

• 50 KW Cereals, Bridgwater

• 30 KW Nursery Worcestershire

• 140 KW Commercial landlord with tenants Worcestershire.

• 50 KW Processing Plant Devon

• Numerous sub 30KW and domestic installations.

Recent installations

• Call us on: 0800 2949246

• E-mail us at: info@mypoweruk.com

• Or visit our web site at: www.mypoweruk.com

Contact Details