Photon Energy Installs Solar Plus Storage at Prologis Park

PHOTON ENERGY has recently completed a large solar plus storage installation at a grade ‘A’ distribution centre, located on Prologis Park, Pineham.

The new development, built by Buckingham Group, was completed at the end of 2018. Lewis & Beddows, a local mechanical and electrical contractor responsible for the building services, awarded Photon Energy the contract to install the solar and storage system.

By installing a cluster of batteries alongside the solar array, the project aims to enable the building’s occupiers to use a large percentage of self-generated electricity on site.

Solar Plus Storage

Careful consideration went into the design of the 19,630m² building to achieve the maximum level of energy efficiency (a grade A energy performance rating).

Passive design elements such as high levels of insulation and airtightness were incorporated alongside the installation of the most energy efficient building services and the 130 kWp solar PV array.

The solar PV array installed by Photon Energy was comprised of Trina 270 kWp modules and a stack of 4 Tesla Powerwalls, designed to have a total of 56 kWh capacity. The modules were fixed to the steel trapezoidal roof using a K2 SpeedRail system. The Solis inverters were positioned in the main office plant deck, with cabling routed to minimise penetrations through the façade.

Savings

The solar PV will generate approximately 104,110 kWh of electricity each year for the building’s occupiers, with the batteries ensuring the minimal amount is returned to the national grid. The renewable energy generated should save approximately 54 tonnes of CO₂emissions per annum.

Lefteris Giraleas, Senior Engineer at Photon Energy, said: “It’s very encouraging to know that all the electricity generated by the solar PV will be used on site to help reduce the operating centre’s carbon emissions.”

Steve Ward, Project Manager at Lewis & Beddows, added: “It was a pleasure working with Photon Energy on this ground-breaking solar plus storage project. Scott was one of the best on site engineers I have worked with and on any further projects I would be requesting his attendance.”

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