Solar PV and Battery Storage Project Overview
Developing a solar-powered system that could generate and store enough electricity to power the lifts and LED lighting in communal areas, both day and night.
- Reducing the carbon footprint of council properties
- Generating renewable energy for use in communal spaces
- Designing and installing a solar PV system
- Implementing battery storage to provide overnight energy distribution
- Adding the ability to share energy back to the local grid
Waltham Forest is a forward-thinking council. In addition to installing 1,000 solar panels at properties throughout the borough and reducing its carbon emissions by 35% over the past decade, it also declared a climate emergency in 2019.
Since then, the Council has set up London’s first Climate Emergency Commission in order to develop and accelerate plans for Waltham Forest to become a net-zero borough. In line with these ambitions, Waltham Forest Council got in touch with Aston Group as it sought support for the installation of solar panels at three residential properties that provide sheltered accommodation for the over-55s.
Having previously conducted extensive renovation work at Longfield House, Aston Group’s Facilities Management team was familiar with the property and used this as the test site for the first installation. Built in 1986, Longfield House has 36 residential units, an on-site management team and communal facilities.
The Challenge
To develop a solar-powered system that could generate and store enough electricity to power the lifts and LED lighting in communal areas, both day and night.
The team would have to take the orientation of the roofs, their angles and any potential sources of shade into consideration when designing the system. It was important the installation had minimal impact on residents, while providing a continuous flow of power to communal areas.
The Solution
The installation of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and backup battery storage for the block commenced in December 2020.
In total, the entire system is capable of delivering 72,134kWh of electricity to the building each year. The system reduces carbon emissions by more than 18,466kgs per year and it can also export clean energy into the local community.
- 72,134kWh
- Electricity produced each year
- 18,466kgs
- Carbon savings each year
The Results
The system was energised in February 2021 and within six weeks, the solar PV panels generated more than 1,834kWh of energy, reducing the amount of energy imported from the grid by almost 41%. In excess of 277kWh was also added back into the local grid, saving over 469kg of carbon emissions.
“At Waltham Forest, we take our commitment to the environment seriously. We have ambitious aims and want to lead the way for other boroughs, not just in London but across the UK. Working together, Waltham Forest Council, Aston Group and Spartek have helped to significantly and efficiently reduce our reliance on fossil fuels without any negative impact on the residents. What a great team effort.”
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Waltham Forest Council on this project. It’s an exciting time for the renewables industry and it was fantastic to help support the local authority in taking its next steps towards achieving its net-zero ambitions. I can’t wait to see the energy reduction figures once the PV systems have been installed across all three properties.”
