The solar industry is considered the best option for the UK's future energy demand. It is superior in terms of availability, cost effectiveness, accessibility, capacity and efficiency. Connect2Grid have developed over 2000 MWs of Solar projects. In conjunction with our development partners, we have a current pipeline of both standalone solar as well as projects co-located with a battery energy storage system (BESS).
Renewable solar energy projects using panels come in two main forms, Solar Thermal Technology, where heat from the sun is used to produce hot water or steam, and Photovoltaic Cells, which convert sunlight into electricity. The solar projects we create use the later, known more commonly as Solar PV. Out projects range from roof mounted solar, generally powering a single building or facility, to large solar farms covering acres of rural land.
Reliable Clean Energy Source
One thing for sure is that the sun is going nowhere soon. Unlike fossil fuels and coal, the sun is not going to run out, meaning a reliable generation of energy.
Environmental Impact
Except for in their construction, solar projects have no emissions, meaning that they are not contributing any pollution into the environment.
Low Maintenance Costs
Solar panels have no moving parts so they have low wear and tear, the inverter is the only major part that will need to be eventually replaced. General maintenance for solar panels is essentially keeping them clean, however, this only needs to be done a couple of times a year.
Energy Production During Peak Hours
Most companies and facilities use more energy during the daytime, which is when solar installations are at their most productive.
Energy Independence
By producing your own energy, you have less reliance on the national grid network, meaning you are also less effected by price fluctuations.
Dual Purpose Of The Land
The land that the solar project is located on can still be used for crops and the grazing of livestock. In fact, it has been shown that it can be beneficial to co-locate cropland and solar farms in a process known as "agrovoltaics".
No Permanent Impact On Land
At the end of a project's lifecycle, the land can be returned to solely agricultural use. A solar farm can maintain soil quality and contribute to the biodiversity of the land.
Q. Who pays for it?
A. We do, with capital from our investment partners
Q. Do solar farms produce noise?
A. The panels themselves have no working parts so produce no noise, or any harmful emissions. During operational hours, when the sun is shining, the inverters produce a slight hum which is not audible beyond the site boundary
Q. Is there glare from the panels?
A. Glare occurs when sunlight is reflected from flat, shiny surfaces. Solar panels are flat and somewhat shiny, but they are designed to capture light, not reflect it
Q. What is the best location for a solar farm?
A. Land close to a substation or grid connection point is vital, with land of grade 3 or above with brownfield being preferable
Q. What happens at the end of the term lease?
A. Typically, a decommissioning bond will be put in place to ensure the land is returned to its original state
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) is the transition technology that is the key to unlocking the potential of renewable energy sources and a greener future, by having the ability to capture, store, balance and then distribute the energy generated as and when it is required. BESS are bi-directional allowing them the ability to store and discharge energy, their primary use is to work on a supply and demand basis, in line with fluctuations on the grid, which is known as frequency response.
BESS are compound systems which are comprised of hardware components, which make up the physical system and the software which controls and monitors the flow of energy stored in the batteries. A general BESS set-up includes a Battery Management System (BMS) which monitors the battery cells for State of Change (SOC) and State of Health (SOH), an Inverter or Power Conversion System (PCS) which converts the direct current produced by the battery into alternating current that is usable for facilities, and an Energy Management System (EMS) which monitors and controls the energy flow throughout the battery by collecting and analysing energy data.
BESS can greatly improve the efficiency and benefit of an attached solar system, allowing energy not being consumed during peak solar producing times to be stored and released in off peak hours. However, BESS can create income in their own right, with a few varied selling options. Under a Capacity Agreement, the seller is paid a fixed fee for their ability to supply capacity (energy) to an off taker. Normally this is a fixed monthly fee where the seller is paid the same amount, regardless of how much energy is delivered. A Tolling Agreement allows off takers to make use of the seller's storage asset via a 'toll' paid for use of the system. Finally there are Merchant Markets where the seller doesn't enter into a long term contract for delivering energy to a buyer, but is therefore exposed to current market prices. Merchant markets allow sellers to engage in energy arbitrage by purchasing wholesale power from the market when rates are low, store it, then deliver to market when the wholesale rates are high.
Diverse Income
Energy demand fluctuates during the day, with utility companies able to charge peak-demand rates at peak times. A BESS can charge during off-peak times when the cost is lower and discharge it when you need it, in a process known as peak shaving.
Small Land Footprint
Battery storage systems take up significantly less land than other energy developments. A typical project would require one to five acres.
Enhances Future Renewable Projects
It has been common practice for years to connect a BESS to a renewable energy generator such as solar. A BESS can massively improve the efficiency and reliability of a solar system, even improving the financial impact of solar alone.
Minimal Visual Impact
As well as having a small footprint, Tree plantation schemes are also introduced to reduce the visual impact of the Battery storage projects.
Q. Who pays for it?
A. We do, with the capital from our investment partners.
Q. Do the batteries make noise?
A. The decibel level is comparable to that of an ambient library.
Q. Are batteries a renewable energy?
A. No. Although they create no emissions and are an essential transition technology, which allow the connection of more renewable energy systems in the future.
Q. Are batteries safe?
A. Lithium-ion batteries like those that we would install, are proven on a global scale and the technology is considered safe and reliable.
Q. What does a typical development look like?
A. The batteries are housed within 'shipping containers' with a concrete base and the site is enclosed with stockpile fencing and remotely monitored. We also ensure extensive landscaping in our designs to mitigate visual impact.
Q. How much space does a BESS site need??
A. A typical measurement would be approx. 2 acres per 50 MW.
Q. What is the best location for a BESS site??
A. Land close to a substation or grid connection point is vital, with land that is grade 3 and above with brownfield preferable.
Q. What happens at the end of the lease term?
A. Typically, a decommissioning bond will be put in place in year 5 to ensure the land is restored to its original state.