With the imminent growth of solar PV and the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions, Solar Energy UK has published a series of case. The projects range from the country's largest rooftop PV installation at the Port of Hull, to numerous PV installations at Lidl supermarkets during the Covid-19 pandemic. These cases show the progress and achievements in clean energy generation, CO2 emissions reduction and energy innovation, underlining the country's commitment to decarbonisation. These are the most representative projects according to Solar Energy UK.

UK's largest rooftop PV installation at the Port of Hull

Among the standout projects is the UK’s biggest rooftop photovoltaic installation, situated at the Port of Hull, the nation's busiest port. Custom Solar led this remarkable 6.5 MW installation, which features 21,000 panels on major terminal buildings. This impressive setup allows the facility to generate enough power during peak periods, significantly reducing its carbon footprint by almost 3,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.

Groundbreaking solar car ports at Stourton Park & Ride, Leeds

Another notable project is EvoEnergy’s Stourton Park & Ride in Leeds, a pioneering 1.2 MW installation of solar car ports. This project, which saves an impressive 471 tonnes of CO2 per year, is the first fully solar-powered park-and-ride facility in the UK. It includes a robust 500 kilowatt and 950 kilowatt-hour battery system, along with 26 electric vehicle charging units. These innovations effectively address the challenge of a constrained grid connection.

Solar installations across new Lidl supermarkets

The case studies also highlight the collaborative efforts of distributor Segen and installer Square 4 Solar, who installed over 20,000 panels across 60 new Lidl supermarkets in England, Scotland, and Wales. This massive project was notably completed during the Covid-19 pandemic, which posed significant challenges such as supply chain instability and limited stock availability. Despite these hurdles, the project met the retailer’s strict deadlines, showcasing the resilience and efficiency of the teams involved.

Further case studies concern:

• Emtec Energy’s groundbreaking contract to install solar PV and battery energy storage to 500 council homes, awarded by Aberdeenshire Council in 2019. The project sought to alleviate grid constraints, provide clean energy to tenants and reduce fuel poverty – all while providing an income for the council. The project set a precedent by aggregating the solar and battery systems to deliver grid services.
  
  
• Berryhill Solar Farm, Solar2’s consented but currently unbuilt 49,9 MW solar farm in Invergowrie. It will deliver benefits to Muirhead, Birkhill and Liff Community Councils estimated conservatively at £900,000 over its lifetime. The panelled area is expected to be sown with a grassland seed mix and grazed by sheep.
  
  
• Renewable Connections’ 49.9MW Tregonning solar farm with battery energy storage, under development in Cornwall, which is expected to save 27,600 tonnes of CO₂ each year alongside biodiversity gains. It will also provide “a stable, secure and sustainable future” for the landowner, who will maintain grazing on the solar farm and cereal production on another part of his farm.
  
  
• The 244kW of solar panels installed by Shawton Energy at Wigan & Leigh College, its Leigh Adult Learning Centre and its Pagefield Campus. The three installations together save almost £100,000 per year on energy bills, with the sun producing more than a quarter of their power and saving 68 tonnes of CO₂ per year.
  
  
• Shawton Energy custom-built 69kW installation at the Dakota Manchester hotel, using Longi 435W panels, three SolarEdge inverters and 158 SolarEdge power optimisers, fitted in only two weeks. It saved the hotel almost £18.000 on its electricity bills in its first year.
  
  
• EvoEnergy and Tag Energy’s Hawkers Hill battery energy storage facility. Completed in 2023, it can storage 40 megawatt hours of energy and supply 20 megawatts to the grid, enabling greater penetration of renewable energy into homes and businesses by stabilising the grid.
  
  
• Aldi’s £11.6m Eco Concept Store in Leamington Spa. Another EvoEnergy project, the development incorporates 209 kilowatts of solar PV capacity, cutting CO₂ emissions by almost 35 tonnes in its first year. The use of sustainable building materials also cuts energy demand by more than half compared to a conventional design.
  
  
• A 500kW rooftop system at the new £150m Southend Airport Business Park. Expected to generate 467 megawatt-hours of clean energy annually, the Photon Energy installation will slash CO₂ emissions by 98 tonnes per year and contribute to the ‘very good’ rating under the BREEAM building energy rating scheme.

These projects underscore the significant advancements and achievements in the solar and battery storage sector. Solar Energy UK's case studies serve as a testament to the innovative solutions and dedication of its members in driving the UK towards a sustainable and carbon-neutral future.