3.7 MWp Solar PV and 235 kWh BESS Design for Measham Brickworks
PPA stage design for a 3.7 MWp solar PV and 235 kWh BESS system
Nortcel was asked to assess a large industrial solar PV and battery storage opportunity for a brickworks site in Measham. The project was reviewed as a PPA opportunity, with the client comparing solar only and solar plus BESS options to understand the most practical battery size before additional storage reached diminishing returns.
The final PVSol model focused on the larger MPAN, where the annual consumption was high enough to support a major onsite solar system. The model used 3,702.60 kWp of solar PV with 1 Alpha ESS battery system, providing 235.1 kWh usable battery energy.
The challenge
The site had very high industrial electricity demand, with 9,255,915 kWh / year consumption and a peak load of 2,098 kW. This made the site suitable for a large solar PV system, but the design still needed to account for kilns, chimneys, maintenance access and roof areas affected by operational constraints.
The solution
Nortcel developed a roof mounted solar PV and BESS design using the main east and west facing roof areas. Areas around kilns, chimneys and access routes were excluded to create a more practical layout for long term operation and maintenance.
The proposed system used 8,228 Trina Solar modules, 28 SolaX inverters and 1 Alpha ESS STORION LC TB125 battery system. The system was modelled in PVSol as a grid connected design with surplus export.
Project results
The PVSol simulation estimated annual solar generation of 3,178,627 kWh / year. Of this, 2,593,868 kWh / year was used directly onsite, 48,734 kWh / year was used to charge the battery, and 536,025 kWh / year was exported to the grid.
The design achieved 83.1% own power consumption and 28.4% self sufficiency, with estimated avoided emissions of 560,656 kg CO₂ / year.
Financial summary
The model showed total investment costs of £3,147,210, with an estimated IRR of 32.65% and an amortisation period of 3 years and 6 months. The report also estimated first year savings of £789,527.84 / year, first year export revenue of £55,205.58 / year, and an accrued 25 year cash balance of £35,926,652.26.
Key figures
System size: 3,702.60 kWp
BESS capacity: 235.1 kWh usable battery energy
Annual generation: 3,178,627 kWh / year
Annual site consumption: 9,255,915 kWh / year
Peak load: 2,098 kW
Own power consumption: 83.1%
Self sufficiency: 28.4%
Grid export: 536,025 kWh / year
CO₂ avoided: 560,656 kg / year
Estimated investment: £3,147,210
Estimated IRR: 32.65%
Estimated payback: 3 years and 6 months
Estimated 25 year cash balance: £35,926,652.26
