Edge Hill University
Operating since 2006, Energi plc are experts in the solar PV industry and have a proven track record in successfully designing, supplying and installing large and complex PV systems across a broad range of sectors. From new build projects to large scale land development, our range of services and skills are outstanding.
We focus on design-led, value engineering and help our clients achieve competitive advantage in challenging market sectors. We have a proven track record of successful project delivery and are obsessed with customer service, irrespective of project scale or complexity. Our experienced in-house design engineers, project managers and installation teams provide a safe pair of hands from initial project appraisal to final handover.
Energi Installations plc are fully accredited under the BRE Microgeneration Certification Scheme for solar photovoltaic system design and installation (MCS number: 1049), as well as being a member of the REAL Assurance Scheme (17409) and an accredited CHAS contractor.
Design Process
Energi plc were appointed to work alongside the principle contractor, Bardsley Construction, who had built a new warehouse adjoining an existing office building. The Solar PV system was commissioned across both the warehouse and the office roof surfaces, as well as a façade along the wall of the new warehouse.
The Technical Director conducted a site visit and the PV system was designed by our in-house design team. All designs were created to MCS approved guidelines, the DTI Photovoltaics in Buildings 2nd Edition and the current G83/1 and G59/1 parameters. They were also earthed in accordance with the BS7671 arrangements.
As far as reasonably practicable, all the below documents are approved by the Technical Director and conform to CDM Regulations 2007:
- Project design, quotations and planning permission were verified and accepted prior to installation proceeding.
- Method Statements and Risk Assessment submission prior to work start.
Installation Stage
Bardsley Construction obtained the required permits for work and roof access. For this installation, deliveries went direct to site as access and container storage was available. The height of the warehouse meant scaffolding, protection boards and span decks were required around the warehouse edges. A hacki stairwell and gin wheel was used for lifting mounting systems and modules to roof for installation.
Roof holes were generated by Bardsley Construction for PV cabling to go into the warehouse through to an internal plant room. Façade hole positions were provided by Energi plc. A cherry picker was required to reach internal roof and high walls for cabling containment. The timescale for this was given as 2 men over 3 days. Additional timescales as below:
- Roof mounting system, DC cabling and modules installed (4 to 6 men 18 days).
- Façade foundations and cable duct installation (3 days 2 men).
- Façade mounting system, installed (4 days 4 men).
- Façade modules installed (4 men 5 days).
The plant room electrical work was undertaken by 2 qualified electricians over the course of 10 days. Plant room access was required so components could be transferred into plant room and the wall marked out for the inverters and tray. Inverter brackets were drilled into the wall to enable the fitting of inverters, ducting and monitoring components were also installed. 1 working day was allocated to test the main AC feed cable.
Commissioning Stage
On completion of roof PV system & facade installation, DC and AC testing was undertaken in 1 day (2 men). Commissioning was undertaken simultaneously to verify performance and check for faults. Warning labels, protection settings, operating procedures and electrical circuit diagrams were fixed adjacent to the electrical system in the plant room.
After commissioning, hand over documentation was provided. This consists of an owner’s manual containing system information, operation and emergency procedures, commissioning certificates, Energi Installations plc PV system warranties and additional information such as BS7671 electrical certificates, inverter manual and isolator switches and generation/smart meter specifications and public display units. Energi installations issues DNO with confirmation of commissioning documentation and registers all installations on the MCS database.