Drivers
“As our world faces the realities of climate change and our industry looks for a sustainable path forward, Collins Aerospace is bringing an elevated perspective to help lead the way”
Collins Aerospace were seeking ways to reduce their energy costs and emissions. They approached Climate Integrated Solutions (CIS) and requested an investigation into the potential for roof mounted solar PV and the potential for a funded solution for their HS Marston site.
The system as well as reducing operating costs would support the company’s aggressive goals to reduce their environmental footprint across their facilities.
Feasibility Study
The initial step was to undertake structural surveys for the roof areas identified as potentially suitable for a solar PV array. This was a 100% funded scheme where we also funded remedial works to roof areas where required. this ensures the system will not need to be disturbed during its usual life cycle. This was carried out by CIS and conformed with the clients’ global insurers requirements. We also managed the engagement with the DNO to ensure we secured a grid connection for our designated system design.
With these steps completed we were able to focus on the modelling of the return of investment using site specific data and developing a bespoke funding model maximising the financial benefit for Collins Aerospace with a project supported by extended warranties, fire fighter switch technology and an O&M support package incorporating annual service visits for the defined life of the system.
Design
The system, the first of 2 phases will save 63.2t/CO2/Pa and deliver 3.8% of annual onsite demand.
In full coordination with the client requirements, we specified a SolarEdge system with bi-facial panels ensuring no combustible materials facing onto the roof. The system incorporates tier 1 SolarEdge inverters to ensure maximum output from the array is maintained at all times. The system also includes the installation of optimisers which offer greater safety and ease of shut down as well as optimising the system generation at all times.
Our solution also included an extended 20-year warranty on the inverters and an annual O&M and site service visit to optimise performance and deliver proactive maintenance of the system.
We modelled the half hourly energy usage data against the expected PV generation across the year. The system utilises the available roof space following roof remedial works which were incorporated into our funded proposal. Our design achieve utilisation of 100% of generated power providing 4% of site demand. The simple payback on the electricity cost was under 4 years. Our ROI modelling factors in panel output degradation over the life of the system, orientation and any shading factors and presents ‘Real World’ outputs providing realistic CO2 offset and cost saving data for commercial consideration.
Install
The project was coordinated with remedial roof works, where required, all of which were organised by ourselves and funded within our market leading funding package which is cash positive from year 1. Works also included an integration strategy with existing fire alarm systems to provide fully automated shutdown and energising of the system during testing or in an emergency.
Results
The installed solar PV array is fully integrated with site systems delivering an automated solution optimised to maximise the energy savings over the lifetime of the system. We also provide live access to output data as part of the project, allowing users to view and monitor key data including on-site generation, CO2 savings and money saved. The project was completed in March 2024, The first month’s output is on track to exceed the ROI modelled figures the system is set to deliver.
The funding, developed by CIS, means that all the financial savings pass to the client after an initial funding period maximising their return on investment. The solution is fully funded with no capital investment and cash positive from year 1 and this system will be delivering savings of almost £100k in the first year.
| Financial savings (PA) | CO2 Savings | |
| Year 1 | £99,972 | 63.26 t/Co2 |
| 20 Years | £2.755M | 1,265 t/Co2 |
On -going Support
CIS renewable solutions incorporate a full ongoing O&M service to give our clients peace of mind and to optimise the output from the installation over the life of the system. In addition, the inverters offer remote live access to key data including system output, carbon saving data and cost savings, from any pc tablet or phone you authorise access. The combination of annual service visits and remote monitoring ensures we keep the solar PV system operating at its peak efficiency and to provide any support or information for our client over the long term.