University of Southampton Science Park
The journey from remote solar survey to solar audit and then installation
The science park was exploring a more environmentally-friendly way of working that positively impacts the environment and the businesses residing across the park.
Our Client
University of Southampton Science Park is South England’s innovation hub, spread across 72 acres, offering a wide range of commercial offices, meeting and conferencing facilities, and laboratories. The science park is closely linked to the University of Southampton - a global top 100 university and founder member of the Russell Group.
The Challenge
As a location for a variety of businesses, including offices, meeting spaces, and laboratories, each having unique requirements, decarbonisation of property is particularly challenging. The variety of demand and generation potential requires careful planning to ensure enough power is generated at the right time, with many leases and occupants to consider.
Our Solution
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Stage 1
Our team started by conducting a remote solar survey with the help of LIDAR technology and satellite imagery, we surveyed all the buildings with a solar irradiance map predicting solar radiation at 30-minute intervals. An analysis of each property was then carried out using AI-powered computer vision tools to identify areas suitable for solar panel installation.
Stage 2
Out of the shortlisted buildings, the Science Park decided to go for a solar survey of the Kenneth Dibben House (KDH), having maximum solar potential. Our engineers designed a solar system design and submitted the G99 application to find out if the system can be connected to National Grid. After the G99 application, our qualified team of structural surveyors surveyed to find out if the roof is strong enough to take the weight of solar panels. At last, our market-based intelligence was used to provide CAPEX requirements for installing a recommended solar system and to create a full financial feasibility analysis, including discounted cash flows. This was amalgamated into an easy-to-read report for the board to review and develop decarbonisation plans.
Stage 3
The detailed Solar Audit of KDH helped Science Park to decide on investing in installing a solar system. Our experienced Project Manager managed the installation of a 235 kW solar system from the planning phase to the witness test and site handover. We are currently providing ongoing energy monitoring services, allowing Science Park to track their solar consumption.
The Results
Our cutting-edge and intelligent technology identified buildings that were great for solar panel installation, predicting electricity production, grid import and export, financial and carbon savings together with CAPEX requirements. This allowed the board to make data-led decisions and subsequently instruct Absolar to begin the installation of the most suitable building, a 235kWp installation for a multi-tenanted building which will help the Science park to save 50 tonnes of carbon per year.
What can Absolar do for you?
Absolar carries out remote solar surveys for commercial property, landlords, investors, and the public sector. These allow an instant understanding of the solar potential of any property or portfolio by using our state-of-the-art AI-based technologies. Following on from our remote survey, Absolar conducts detailed solar audits on chosen properties to deliver full business cases and optimum designs that can be carried forward to installation. For those ready to install, Absolar provides the full installation and ongoing care packages to ensure that solar potential is realised. To find out if our technology, skills, and experience can help you, please get in touch.
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