Installation of Solar Panels on Our Roof

A Journey Towards Sustainability and Stewardship 

Phase 1 – Assessing the Feasibility 

Before we can proceed with the installation, we need to conduct a thorough feasibility study. This involves several key steps: 

Partnering with Experts 

To navigate the complexities of solar installation, it is essential to partner with experienced professionals. We will collaborate with solar energy companies, structural engineers, and financial advisors to ensure that we make informed decisions at every step of the process. Their expertise will be invaluable in guiding us through technical evaluations, system design, installation, and maintenance. 

Roof Assessment 

The first step is to evaluate the structural integrity of our church roof. Solar panels are relatively lightweight, but it is crucial to ensure that the roof can support their weight. We will need to engage a structural engineer to inspect the roof and confirm its suitability for solar installation. 

A structural engineer has confirmed that our roof is suitable and strong enough to have solar panels installed.

Solar Potential 

Next, we need to assess the solar potential of our roof. This includes evaluating factors such as the orientation and angle of the roof, any shading from nearby trees or buildings, and the overall amount of sunlight the roof receives throughout the year. Solar professionals can conduct this assessment using specialized tools and software to determine the optimal placement and configuration of the panels. 

We have engaged with a number of solar panel installers, and they have confirmed that they could install panels with an annual output similar to our annual usage. Although the total annual output meets our annual usage there is variance across the year i.e. in winter, they won’t generate all we need but in summer they will generate more than we need and we can sell the excess back to the grid. 

The graph below illustrates the potential amount of power we could generate across the year. For half a year we have the potential to generate enough power for all of our usage and for 5 months we would be able to sell some back to the grid. 

Solar power across the year 

Financial Analysis 

We must also perform a detailed financial analysis to understand the costs and benefits of the project. This includes obtaining quotes from reputable solar installation companies, calculating the potential energy savings, and exploring available grants, incentives, and financing options. Our goal is to ensure that the investment is financially viable and aligns with our church’s budget and long-term planning. 

The quotes that have been received all detail extensive annual savings, there are variations between the quotes on how big these savings are which require further analysis to better understand what the savings would be. 

We are also exploring what our options are with regard to obtaining grants to help finance the installation of solar panels.

Regulatory and Permitting Requirements 

Installing solar panels involves navigating various regulatory and permitting requirements. We will need to consult with local authorities to understand the necessary permits and approvals, as well as any zoning or building code restrictions. Compliance with these regulations is essential to ensure a smooth and lawful installation process. 

Building Insurance 

Installing solar panels on our roof has the potential to invalidate our insurance, so we are having discussions with our insurers to ensure that we meet all their requirements. 

Installation 

The actual installation of the solar panels will be a significant milestone. Depending on the complexity of the project, this phase may take one to two months to complete. As part of the evaluation of suppliers we are ascertaining how they intend accessing the roof safely and what impact it will have on the day to day use of the Centre e.g. loss of parking spaces. 

The suppliers that we have contacted indicate that the work will take 4 – 6 weeks and in some cases no loss of parking except when the panels are being delivered. 

Conclusion 

As we near the end of Phase 1 there are questions to answer including but not limited to: 

In the short term can we afford the costs a minimum of £100,000 (not including VAT) depending on the supplier? 

Do we as an organisation, a charity mainly funded by its members want to install solar panels? 

Which supplier do we go with, the cheapest or use some other method to evaluate them? 

Are solar panels the best way for us to save on energy costs? 

 

Phase 2 blog coming soon…

 

Dave Pennington