Western Power Distribution
Overview
Western Power Distribution are the local District Network Operator (DNO) in much of South West England, the Midlands and Wales. They manage the local energy distribution network ensuring our homes and businesses are kept in good supply. WPD are serious about reducing their impact on the environment and in 2010 they asked Southern Solar to install Solar PV systems across 6 of their sites in the South West and Wales in a 3 week period.
Design Development
The systems were installed on six varying Western Power sites, such as distribution centres, regional offices and call centres. Design was a key part of Southern Solar’s role; we came up with a number or options and ran various models to ensure that the best design was created for the client, this included looking at different mounting options, the spacing and size of the PV systems and looking at the best way of maximising their return on investment.
Successful Installation
Due to the spread of the locations across the South West and Wales, the project was worked on by three of our offices simultaneously. Managed by one person centrally, this meant that the installations were all completed within the allotted time and budget. All six projects were successfully completed in the timescale; from initial enquiry to system commissioning was a total turnaround time of 10 weeks for all installations, in time for Western Power’s end of financial year.
Facts
System: 50.4kWp over 6 sites
Project: Completed within 3 weeks
Panels : 48 x Sharp 175W panels
Inverters: 3 x SMA SB2500
Each site had varying access points and site layouts; careful planning ensured that each site was installed correctly and in line with each other. This relied on good communication both with the client and the varying branches. All sites had identical data monitoring equipment installed; an SMA webbox at each site is connected to the internet allowing real time data from all installations to be displayed on a television screen at Western Power’s head office in Avonbank.
Cost control & Supply Chain Management
All costs were formally agreed with Western Power at the point of a signed contract. Southern Solar began the cost scheme by quoting a budgetary cost per installation; these were then confirmed for each site post survey. Southern Solar kept up excellent communication with Western Power throughout the project to ensure that it was delivered within the tight timeline and budget.