FOI_24-323 New Science building PV panels

Date of response: 17 December 2024

We have now considered your Freedom of Information request of 26 November 2024 for the following information:

Question 1. How many PV modules are on the roof (Estimated 128)?

Our response:

64.

Question 2. What are the dimensions of each PV modules (Estimated 0.8m x 0.8m)?

Our response:

Please see accompanying document, our ref: FOI_24-323 Appendix A.

Question 3. What is the type of PV modules are used (Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline, Thin film) and was there any reason why these were selected for this project?

Our response:

Polycrystalline.

On this occasion it is not possible to provide any of the requested information. In line with your rights under section 1(1)(a) of the Act to be informed whether information is held, we confirm that the University does not hold any recorded information for the reason as to why those were selected for this project.

Question 4, What was the name of the supplier of the solar modules? (E.g., Project Solar, REA Solar, SunPower, BP Solar) and what is the name of the solar modules used (E.g., BP Solar BPSX380J BP380J)?

Our response:

Solar Edge.

Question 5. What is the power output and efficiency of the PV modules?

Our response:

Please see accompanying document, our ref: FOI_24-323 Appendix A.

Question 6. Inclination angle:
Question 6.a. What is the inclination angle for PV modules (Estimated 10º)?

Our response:

12 degrees.

Question 6.b. Is this uniform for all modules?

Our response:

Yes.

Question 6.c. Was there any reason why this inclination angle was selected?

Our response:

A standard mounting system was used which mounted the panels at that angle as standard.

Question 7. What is the azimuth of the array? (The orientation of the panels relative to true north)? – Alternatively, what is the orientation of the New Science building relative to true north (Estimated 6.27º)?

Our response:

45 modules are South facing, 10 are East facing and 9 are West facing.

Question 8. What is the Installed PV capacity?

Our response:

20.8 kWp.

Question 9. How much power does the array generate for the building?

Our response:

See our response to question 19.

Question 10. What maintenance (cleaning, sweeping, etc.) needs to be done to maintain the solar panels? How often does this need to be done?

Our response:

Please see accompanying document, our ref: FOI_24-323 Appendix B.

Question 11. Was there any reason for the positioning of modules? Or was it just to fit available space?

Our response:

On this occasion it is not possible to provide any of the requested information. In line with your rights under section 1(1)(a) of the Act to be informed whether information is held, we confirm that the University does not hold any recorded information for any reason for the positioning of the modules or if they were positioned to fit available space.

Question 12. What are the distances between individual PV modules and rows?

Our response:

Question 13. Shading:
13.a. How is spacing around rooftop obstacles (e.g., vents, HVAC units) managed to avoid shading?

Our response:

On this occasion it is not possible to provide any of the requested information. In line with your rights under section 1(1)(a) of the Act to be informed whether information is held, we confirm that the University does not hold any recorded information for how the spacing around rooftop obstacles are managed to avoid shading.

Question 13.b. What are the primary sources of shading on the rooftop, and how do they impact the PV system's performance?

Our response:

On this occasion it is not possible to provide any of the requested information. In line with your rights under section 1(1)(a) of the Act to be informed whether information is held, we confirm that the University does not hold any recorded information for the primary sources of shading on the rooftop and how this impacts the PV system’s performance.

Question 13.c. If there are any shading effects, how are they mitigated (e.g., use of bypass diodes, module layout adjustments)?

Our response:

Not applicable, please see our response to question 13.b.

Question 14. What types of inverters, charge controllers, and other Balance-of-system components are used?

Our response:

There are 32 SolarEdge Power Optimisers attached to the array frame where two PV modules are connected to each; the Power Optimisers are connected in series to form two strings consisting of 30 and 34 PV modules. These two strings are connected to the SolarEdge SE25K inverter which has an integrated DC safety switch. The 30-module string comprises of the 30 modules South facing array to the West of the building and the 34-module string comprises of the remaining modules which is a mix of South, East and West facing modules.

The inverter is in the top floor riser and has a local AC isolator, there is also a CAT5 local area network connection to the inverter for the purposes of transferring energy generation data to the SolarEdge Monitoring Portal which is then accessed via a web browser connected to the internet.

A SolarEdge Firefighters Gateway is also connected to the inverter for the purposes of remote/automatic disconnection of the PV system via the fire alarm control panel.

Question 15. What mounting structures and protection systems, if any, are used to secure the PV modules?

Our response:

Bauder Solar mounting system.

Question 16. Are there any considerations for system losses (e.g., wiring resistance, shading), and how are they mitigated?

Our response:

32 power optimisers are installed, each connected to 2 PV panels.

Question 17. What is the Inverter AC power rating?

Our response:

25kW.

Question 18. Assumptions, Simulations, and Case studies
Question 18.a. Was there any evidence (E.g., Case studies, Simulations, Calculations) which were used to support the proposed design (E.g., PV array on Julian Study Centre used as a case study)?

Our response:

On this occasion it is not possible to provide any of the requested information. In line with your rights under section 1(1)(a) of the Act to be informed whether information is held, we confirm that the University does not hold any recorded information for whether there was any evidence which was used to support the proposed design.

Question 18.b. What assumptions were made regarding solar irradiance, weather patterns, and energy consumption, and were they supported by data?

Our response:

On this occasion it is not possible to provide any of the requested information. In line with your rights under section 1(1)(a) of the Act to be informed whether information is held, we confirm that the University does not hold any recorded information for any assumptions made regarding solar irradiance, weather patterns and energy consumption and whether they were supported by data.

Question 19. Energy Output:
19.a What is the annual energy output of the PV system?

Our response:

This was the generation in 2023:

Month	kWh
January	224
February	291
March	714
April	1050
May	2360
June	2359
July	2524
August	2346
September	2396
October	1229
November	1381
December	347

Question 19.b. Is there any comparison of this value to an expected output for the location?

Our response:

On this occasion it is not possible to provide any of the requested information. In line with your rights under section 1(1)(a) of the Act to be informed whether information is held, we confirm that the University does not hold any recorded information for any comparison of this value to an expected output for the location, as no comparison has been undertaken.

Question 20. How significant is the impact of module degradation on the system's performance?

Our response:

On this occasion it is not possible to provide any of the requested information. In line with your rights under section 1(1)(a) of the Act to be informed whether information is held, we confirm that the University does not hold any recorded information for how significant the impact of module degradation on the system’s performance, as no comparison has been undertaken to indicate any impact.