This project required a 10% reduction in energy usage to be met with renewables. Photovoltaics were chosen due to the greater financial returns over the other technologies via the “Feed in Tariff”. Due to the roof being a traditional wooden design a light weight solution was needed. The client also insisted on a non-penetrating mounting system to lower the risk of leaks. Ballasted, lightweight mounting systems do not ordinarily go hand in hand, meaning the use of a more expensive, specialist system was required. The Eco Team selected an interlocking, aerodynamic system, built for this purpose and requiring much lower ballast compared to its rivals. The speedy installation time offered by this design went some way to off-setting the higher initial cost, thereby offering a cost-effective solution.

Disused wasteland and garages have been put back into good use through Greenwich Council’s framework for new local authority housing. The Eco Team, working with Schuco, provided photovoltaic systems for a number of projects on phase 2 helping the local authority meet building code level 4 on their new housing stock. Weathered upstands were constructed by the roofing contractor on the green roofs, enabling mechanical fixing of the PB mounting frames and modules. All designs of the PV systems, to meet the required renewable requirements was carried out by The Eco Team.

Built on a former council depot in Wandsworth, this project compromised 6 blocks of apartments with landscaped gardens and an underground carpark. The PV requirement of 62.5 Kwp was reached using a 10 degree ballasted mounting system. A percentage of the proposed gravel roof covering was incorporated into the weight requirement of the mounting system, to keep costs to a minimum, without affecting the integrity of the PV system.

The photovoltaic requirement for this project consisted of 29.4 Kwp of Schuco modules to be fitted across 3 blocks. The modules were mounted on bespoke, galvanised steel, feature upstands on the flat green roofs. The Eco Team carried out the design and layout of the PV system in conjunction with Pinnacle ESP (building services consultants), from an early stage to ensure the correct sizing for the manufacturer of the feature upstands, and the provision of adequate space for the necessary plant. This process led to a quick and trouble-free installation.

The renewable energy design specification, requested a 22 Kwp photovoltaic system mounted at 10 degrees on the flat brown roof of block B. The preferred option was a weighted, non-roof penetrating mounting system to keep costs low and eliminate weak points in the water barrier. The Eco Team designed a system utilising gravel already specified for the brown roof as ballast, thereby reducing costs further. This array design, in conjunction with 2 G59 compliant 3 phase inverters, provided the client with an aesthetic and economic PV package.

The original PV specification for this project required approximately 74 Kwp, with an inclination of 30 degrees and a southerly orientation. The Eco Team worked with the clients design team at an early stage and verified that insufficient roof space was available for this option. Minimum spacing between the modules would be inadequate to prevent major shading, therefore greatly lowering the systems yields. The Eco Team opted for a high density east/west system, this saw tooth design allowed minimum spaces between the modules without shading issues. Due to this system not being south facing an uplift in output was required, but made meeting the expected PV yields viable.