Fresh!

PV Roofs have recently completed the installation of a 14kw array of solar panels on both the farm and farm house at Stonelaws, East Linton     

Case Study    Stonelaws East Linton
14kw Array – 10kw to the Farm 3 phase,  4kw to the Farm House

Photograph showing site viewed from paddock

The site of this installation is in East Lothian just north of East Linton , under new permitted development rights in Scotland (which came in on 18th March 2011) the land owner has been able to quickly move quickly to install PV on his outbuilding roof without the need to obtain planning permission, the roof which has a nice slope and is true south facing will get the maximum solar advantage when compared to other sitting options on site. The installation completed in 7 days was started on 5th April 2011. To make the most of the tariff and consumption the farmer has cabled 10kw onto the farm 3 phase supply, thus staying under G83/1 parameters and then installed just under 4Kw onto the Farm House single phase supply. This give him tax free earnings in a personal capacity on the 4kw system and keeps the high 10kw tariff rate possible to the farm account.

Photograph showing panel install on rail system for profiled tile

The system has used YL235 P-29b 1650x990 series panels which are over 14% efficient, SMA SB-3000TL x 3 on the farm system and one SB-4000TL on the Farm House system. The rail system is by Clickfit. The system clocks production through an Elster A1110 100Aamp three phase meter on the farm and the house uses the A100c single phase pulse meter.

Consumption on site varies and the main draws on power are welding, lighting and farm office. The site also hosts a holiday accommodation letting business and some term lets.

The farmer has an enthusiasm for renewable energy and is planning an eco heating system and small scale wind installation subject to planning.

System Details