Location: Livingston, Scotland
Project Type: Commercial Solar PV Installation
System Size: 340.13kWp

Number of Panels: 602 x 565W JA Solar Modules
Commissioned: December 2024
Project Duration: 3 weeks
Services Provided: Design, Planning, Procurement, Site Setup, Project Management, Commissioning, Handover

Background

The client is a large-scale metal processing and fabrication company based near Livingston, sought to reduce operational costs and improve its sustainability profile. With energy being a significant overhead, the company approached us to explore the feasibility of a rooftop Solar PV system to power their facility during daylight hours.

Objectives

• Offset daytime electricity usage with on-site renewable generation
• Reduce carbon footprint in line with the company’s net-zero goals
• Achieve ROI within 5-6 years
• Ensure minimal disruption to ongoing production operations

Solution

Our team conducted a full feasibility assessment including:

• Roof structural survey
• Energy usage profile analysis
• Grid export and connection review
• Financial modelling and ROI forecasting

We designed a 340.13kWp rooftop Solar PV system using high-efficiency monocrystalline panels and Solis string inverters, optimally laid out across the south and north-facing roof sections. This system needed to include export limitation to 200kWp due to grid restriction, as per SPEN’s feasibility study. 

Project Highlights

• Installation: 602 x 565W panels
• Expected Annual Generation: ~290,500 kWh
• Carbon Offset: ~73.6 tonnes CO₂ per year
• Self-Consumption Rate: 85%
• Payback Period: Estimated at 5.2 years
• Funding: Financed secured through a partner funder

Challenges

• Weather Delays: Typical Scottish weather impacted some install days; mitigated by adjusting crew allocation
• Grid Constraints: Local DNO required export limitation, solved using a G100-compliant export control system and limiting the export to 200kWp
• Operational Continuity: Install was planned in phases to avoid interfering with production. Site shutdown was not required.

Outcome

The system was commissioned on time and within budget. Within the first 4 months, the system performance was 4% above projections.

The client has since reported a noticeable reduction in energy bills and plans to expand the system in the coming years, potenially integrating battery storage as prices continue to decline.