Whittlesey Town Council new offices solar panels

A total of 30 Solar panels have been installed capable of generating up to 9.75kW. When generation exceeds consumption, surplus energy is stored in a bank of three batteries that have a maximum capacity of 7.2kW, when this has been fully charged further over generation is directed into the National Grid. 

When consumption is greater than generation, energy is supplied by the storage batteries in the first instance, then provided by the National Grid, so there should be no interruption in power under normal circumstances.

The control of this is handled by a hybrid converter that manages power generated from the Solar Panels as efficiently as possible to minimise reliance on the National Grid and reducing costs to the Council. Energy efficiency measures such as energy efficient lighting automated switching and thermal insulation reduced energy consumption.

I reviewed the installation of Solar Panels and storage batteries at the new council offices at the beginning of October. Although the weather was overcast the premises were using only 20% of the energy being generated, the other 80% was being directed to the storage batteries that will hold the power for use when generation is lower than demand thus reducing reliance on the national grid supply of electricity and reducing running costs.