Haileybury College

Overview

Location: Haileybury College, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG13 7NU
Date of Installation: May 2023
Type: Commercial
Mounting Type: Sunfixings – PBiiiHD Light Weight Ballasted System
Panel Count: 76 x JA Solar 380W Mono MBB Percium Half-Cell Silver Short Frame QC4
System Size: 28.80 kWp
Inverter: 1 x SolarEdge 25,000kW Three Phase with 38 x P850 Optimiser 850W

System Overview

The installation comprises an 28.8kWp roof-mounted solar PV system designed to serve the School operations.

The installation includes full electrical integration, commissioning, certification, and all relevant regulatory notifications, ensuring the system meets commercial compliance standards and performance expectations.

Roof 1 Orientation: 62 Degrees – South West

Performance Estimates       

Annual Energy Generation
The estimated annual energy generation for this system is approximately 22,059kWh.

Consumption & Grid Export
An analysis of electricity usage and system performance indicates the following distribution of generated energy:

Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Eligibility 
The installation qualified for SEG payments, allowing excess electricity exported to the grid to be sold back to an electricity supplier. More information on SEG eligibility and applications can be found at Ofgem.

Disclaimer: The performance of solar PV systems is impossible to predict with certainty due to the variability in the amount of sunlight from location to location and from year to year. This estimate is based upon a model that takes account of meteorological data at your location and makes an allowance for losses due to shading of the panels. This is a complex calculation, however, and no model can be 100% accurate. It should not be considered a guarantee of performance.  

Environmental Impact

The system makes a substantial contribution to reducing Haileybury’s carbon footprint:

• Annual CO₂ savings: Approximately 5,124 kg

This is equivalent to:

• Driving approximately 20,094 miles in a typical diesel car (based on 255g CO₂ per mile)

• The annual CO₂ absorption of roughly 233 mature trees (based on 22 kg CO₂ per tree per year)

Disclaimer: These calculations are based on estimated system output and standard carbon emission factors from the UK Government’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting: Conversion Factors 2024. Actual results may vary depending on site-specific energy usage patterns, local weather conditions, and fluctuations in grid carbon intensity.

Performance and Financial Projections

The total cost of the installed system was £32,694.00 (including VAT). Based on current electricity prices and the system’s projected generation of 22,059kWh annually, the estimated first-year savings are as follows:

• ·         Electricity displacement savings: £5,148

• ·         Export income: £712

This results in a total estimated benefit of approximately £5,859 in the first year alone.

The projected payback period for the system is just over 4 years, after which it will continue to deliver substantial reductions in electricity costs for the remainder of its lifespan, typically 25 years or more.

Disclaimer: Payback periods are estimated using current electricity tariffs and Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) rates. Future changes in energy prices, usage patterns, and government policy may affect the actual financial return and payback timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the expected long-term performance of the system?
The system is expected to perform efficiently throughout its lifespan, following industry-standard degradation rates. With an estimated solar radiation value of 774 kWh/kWp and a shading factor of 0.99, long-term output remains high and reliable.

Who installed the system?
The system was designed and installed by Chiltern Solar Ltd, an MCS-accredited (NAP 28870) installer and member of the Renewable Energy Assurance Scheme (RECC No. 44711).

The system was installed by a trained installation team certified by MCS, RECC, and NAPIT.

*the above illustration is based on a unit cost of electricity of 25.73p/kWh and a SEG rate of 15p/kWh 

What did the installation include?

• Mechanical installation

• Electrical installation

• Travel & subsistence

• G99 <50kWp application and confirmation

  
  

What warranties are included?

• Solar panels: 25 years

• Inverter: 12 years

  
  

General Disclaimer

All data, projections, and estimates in this case study are based on assessments at the time of installation. Performance, savings, and environmental impact are indicative only and subject to variation due to external factors such as system degradation, weather conditions, maintenance, and future changes in energy tariffs.