Specialist Business Units (SBU) Ltd have recently refurbished the former Camborne Fire Station into much-needed high quality commercial units for local businesses. Installing a solar PV system was included in the general scope of this work however SBU Ltd lacked the resource and expertise to develop the business case and arrange a tender process. The CNE project provided free support from BRE National Solar Centre, this included: site electricity monitoring and analysis, grid connection applications, CAD models, business case appraisal, liaising with a structural engineer, tender writing and review.

A 76kWp solar PV system was installed on the roof of Camborne Business Centre in early in 2019. The array, which comprises 216 modules, is expected to generate ~65,000kWh and offset 18.4t of CO2 per annum. It is calculated that ~65% of the renewable electricity generated will be used by tenants on site, with the rest exported back to the local grid.

The installation contract was awarded to local renewable energy system installer Clean Earth Energy, who delivered the project on time, on budget, and to a very high specification using quality components. Photo courtesy of Clean Earth Energy.

Mr Harry Hart, Director, SBU Ltd:

“The support from BRE National Solar Centre via CNE was priceless, and it’s unlikely that the PV array would have gone ahead without it. It’s great to now be able to supply our tenants with green electricity and do our bit for the environment. We’re already looking to install additional solar PV at our other sites in the Camborne and Redruth area, along with EV charging points.”