Harveys Brewery (OVESCo)
Lewes, East Sussex, July 2011
Overview
In July 2011 the UK’s first community owned PV system was launched in Lewes, East Sussex. The large 98kWp system was organised by the community energy services company OVESCo and managed, designed and installed by Southern Solar. The system is owned by shareholders from the local community with the power used by the Harveys Brewery Depot.
Our Solution
A detailed technical feasibility study was carried out to compare the different installation options; this included 3D shade analysis and performance modelling of system variants using PV SYST. This allowed potential investors and the building operators to make informed decisions about financial returns. In addition 3D mock-ups were developed to assess the visual impact of the installation.
Detailed technical designs, project plans and method statements were worked up in advance by the Southern Solar large projects team. This too allowed sign off of all aspects of the mechanical, electrical and construction plans in advance by the building operator, the client and their independent engineering consultants.
Detailed scheduling and Health and Safety planning was required on the site as it a busy logistics depot, there were very tight deadlines and the solar installation overlapped with large scale repair work to the roof by other contractors.
Facts
System: 92kWp
Install Time: 4 weeks
Ownership: 100% owned by the local community
Remote web based performance modelling allows the building operators and shareholders to track system performance as well as allowing administration and fault finding by Southern Solar.
The system required rapid and accurate workings in order to meet the tight deadline of August 1st, 2011, coinciding with feed in tariff change. Southern Solar had installed and commissioned the site in good time, allowing time for any slip backs, which was not needed.
Southern Solar were able to install the system, consisting of 544 solar panels, on the roof ofHarvey's Brewery in Lewes thanks to the huge wave of enthusiasm generated by the share offer and the readiness of locals to subscribe to the scheme.
The panels will generate an estimated 92,000kWh's of electricity a year that will be used by the brewery, with any surplus feeding back into the local grid.
Investors will get a return of 3-4% per annum over 25 years. This is less that for a standard installation on a home or business, but it provides for some of the FIT money to be reinvested in further community-owned schemes in the area.
"I’d like to offer my congratulations to OVESCo and the whole of the Lewes community on this innovative scheme. This is the sort of community-based scheme that we should be encouraging. Not only will there be reductions in carbon emissions, but there will be community benefit and the development of green jobs."
Huw Irranca-Davies, Shadow Energy Minister