According to Trina Solar, the new system halves the installation time of Trina’s solar PV panels on flat roofs by significantly reducing the number of parts and eliminating the need for traditional mounting rails.
The new solar system spans four large roofs at Crystal Peaks- three flat and one pitched. A total of 276 Trina 245Wp panels were mounted over three flat roofs using the new mounting system – and 129 Trina 250Wp panels were mounted on the pitched roof using conventional fixings.
Now up and running, the entire system is expected to produce in excess of 80,000 kWh per annum, powering all the electrical consumption of the communal areas of the shopping centre, with surplus power being exported and sold to the national grid.
Sundog was contracted as sole supplier, designer and installer by renewable energy consultants Syzygy Renewables – on behalf of Hermes, Crystal Peaks’ owner.
Martin Cotterell, founder and technical director of Sundog, said: “With a very tight installation window, we were really able to put the new mounting system through its paces at Crystal Peaks and appreciate the significant benefits it brings.
“The constantly changing market means that we are continually adopting innovative ways to reduce installation times and, therefore, costs for our customers and the installers. We believe that this new system brings real benefits and will be quickly taken up by installers around the UK.”
Ian Cody, senior asset manager, Hermes Real Estate Investment Management Limited, said: “The installation of solar PV panels at Crystal Peaks is part of our on-going commitment to responsible investment across HREMIL’s portfolio, which has seen absolute carbon emission reductions of over 41 per cent for our year on year standing portfolio since 2006. Further to this, HREIML has surpassed its 2020 target of a 40 per cent reduction and generated energy savings of over £1.5 million in the last five years.
“We remain dedicated to investing in new sustainable technologies, such as the new installation techniques used by Trina Solar, which have a positive impact on returns and lower the risk of assets depreciating in value.”
Neil Sinclair, director at Syzygy, added: “We are pleased to have identified and delivered this prestigious contract on behalf of Hermes which forms a significant part of their on-going campaign to future-proof their property portfolio with clean, green, renewable energy solutions. We are equally delighted with Sundog’s performance. Their innovative use of the new Trinamount III has meant the installation time was considerably less, reducing the installed price and ultimately increasing the financial benefits for our client. It really was a win-win situation for everyone and we will certainly be looking to use Sundog and specify Trinamount III into several other projects we are looking at for other large commercial property owners.”