BRE installs large-scale solar-PV system
As part of its wide-ranging sustainability strategy (The S Plan), BRE has completed the commissioning of a roof-mounted Solar-PV array at Garston. Designed and installed by South Facing, the installation comprises 128 high-performance 230 W modules made by REC of Norway and supplied by Alternergy. Two SMA Tripower 15000 3-phase inverters, also supplied by Alternergy, supply power to BRE’s electrical distribution network on the ground floor of the building. Annual output is expected to be over 23.5 MWh.
To provide a long-term research/educational tool, a monitoring system feeds data to a desk-top display and to a real-time display in BRE’s main reception and to an online web portal.
Following the successful completion of this installation, South Facing is now installing a ground-mounted system near the entrance to the visitor reception area.
Andrew Williams, BRE Ventures innovation director, says, ‘We have a system that not only reduces carbon emissions and generates income, but the installation has provided a clear demonstration of some of the practical challenges facing accredited PV installers. As a result, the BRE Trust has agreed to fund a case study which will consider the lessons learned from the installation and their implications on UK building stock.’
