Case Study: Stonebridge Farm
Solar PV Installation: 30kWp (160 x 190w Mage Poly panels)
Stonebridge Farm
Lincolnshire
December 2011
Bishops Farm Partners, owners of Stonebridge Farm, wanted a 30kWp system put on top of the main grain store building to generate electricity for the systems used by the grain store and the on-site workshop.
Following the initial site survey and subsequent quotation there was a secondary site survey involving the client, the project manager, the head of installations and the senior technician. This resulted in the client instructing Cernunnos Homes to undertake the work.
Once instructed to proceed with the project the first task was to get the architectural drawings and structural engineers report completed. This was completed within a week and allowed the planning application to be submitted. Whilst agricultural buildings are not subjected to building regulations, Cernunnos Homes ensures that wind load and roof load calculations are completed to insure that the structural integrity of the building will remain intact. Had any strengthening to the building been required this would have been carried out. Cernunnos Homes also had detailed plans for the railing system drawn up that enabled the Structural Engineer and Architect to see how the panels would be fixed to the building structure.
Following completion of the planning application, Cernunnos Homes then completed the G59 forms for the DNO, Central Networks, to enable grid connection once the system had been installed. This also involved a site visit from the DNO officer that was conducted alongside a Cernunnos Homes electrician.
With the paperwork well underway and progressing well, the equipment could be ordered and delivery arranged. The strong relationship Cernunnos Homes has with manufacturer’s means that we not only get the very best prices for our clients, but also enables us to arrange delivery straight from the factory to the installation site. It is not only panels that are required, but also 1.5 miles of cabling, 600m of aluminium railing, hundreds of bolts and two inverters that weigh over 65Kg each!
Once all the necessary permissions have been received and the equipment has been delivered, work can begin…
Scaffolding goes up:
Railings are laid:
Every panel is tested individually:
The panels are installed:
Electrical connections made:
Work undertaken and ALL inclusive on the original quotation:
- Architectural Drawings
- Full Structural Engineers report for roof load and wind load calculations
- Detailed railing plans showing fixings to the buildings structure
- Planning Application completed and submitted
- Grid Connection application made to the local DNO (G59 form)
- Supply and fit of Solar PV system, including all associated costs
- System registration under the Feed in Tariff scheme
- 10 year workmanship guarantee
- System monitoring and optional annual check
This project was completed in 4 working days – despite it being early December, with limited hours of daylight and strong winds.
The Client says:
“To whom it may concern
Cernunnos Homes have installed a 30 kw solar pv installation on a grain store on the farm which I have been impressed with.
Initially 3 companies were shortlisted for doing the job but Cernunnos Homes were chosen due to the contact with Andy McKeown who explained in detail all aspects of planning, roof structure weightings and electrical installation.
The installation team were polite and efficient working to a deadline in unfavourable windy weather conditions. The follow up contact since installation has been good and continued monitoring of the efficiency of the panels is going to be undertaken by Cernunnos Homes.
I would like to thank the team involved and can recommend Cernunnos Homes to anyone looking for sustainable and energy efficient building projects.
