Rodborough School

Location: Rodborough School, Godalming

Category: Community

Customer: Wey Valley Solar Schools

System Size: 18kWp

Challenge: The installation has been funded by a local community share offer - Wey Valley Solar Schools -  and is the first of 6 proposed similar schemes in the local area. As such, it is acting as a pilot scheme for the rest of the project, requiring the highest quality to act as an exemplar. Technically, the build was complicated by vents in the science block roof, which could cause shading.

Solution: The shading issue required splitting the array into sections whilst still retaining a strong visual aesthetic. The array was laid out such that no module received more than 5% shade over the course of the year. The educational package was delivered by installing SMA Sunny webox logging equipment. This records the output of the PV system, and uploads to a central website. The information recorded can then be seen online, on a smart phone, downloaded for use in lessons and shown on the schools display monitors.

Rewards: This scheme acts as a perfect example of a community share offering, with benefits to all parties. The scheme shareholders receive a strong return on their investment, the school receives subsidised electricity and is protected against future price rises, the teachers gain valuable educational resource and the school children receive practical education about the benefits of renewable energy.