UK’s first subsidy-free solar farm and energy storage facility

09/26/2017 | Print view

The first subsidy-free PV plant in UK: The 10 MW Clayhill solar farm with combined 6 MW of battery energy storage of BYD and 1500V inverters of Huawei. - © Anesco — © Anesco

The first subsidy-free PV plant in UK: The 10 MW Clayhill solar farm with combined 6 MW of battery energy storage of BYD and 1500V inverters of Huawei.

Anesco’s Clayhill solar farm and energy storage facility was opened officially today in Bedfordshire. The 10 MW solar plant along with a 6 MW battery storage unit is equipped with 1500V inverters of Huawei.

Steve Shine OBE, Anesco’s Executive Chairman said: “For the solar industry, Clayhill is a landmark development and paves the way for a sustainable future, where subsidies are no longer needed or relied upon. Importantly, it proves that the Government’s decision to withdraw subsidies doesn’t have to signal the end of solar as a commercially viable technology.”

Construction and installation completed within 12 weeks

He continued: “Given our extensive experience with solar and storage projects, we took a fresh look at how we could finance and develop Clayhill without needing a renewables subsidy. We sought the views of our supply chain and with them looked at every aspect of the project – its design, the technical specifications, the use of the very latest technology and the costs of the various components. By deciding to co-locate the 6MW battery storage unit and by working closely with our supply chain partners, we have been able to achieve a subsidy-free development.”Planning permission for the 10 MW solar farm, along with the five battery storage units, was granted by Central Bedfordshire Council in 2015. The construction and installation of the project was completed in 12 weeks.

Signal for more clean energy in UK

Claire Perry MP, BEIS Minister for Climate Change & Industry, said “The cost of solar panels and batteries has fallen dramatically over the past few years, and this first subsidy-free development at Clayhill is a significant moment for clean energy in the UK. Solar panels already provide enough electricity to power 2.7 million homes with 99% of that capacity installed since 2010. The Government is determined to build on this success and our ambitious Clean Growth Strategy will ensure we continue to lead the world on the transition to a low carbon economy.”

Anesco is one of the country’s leading renewable energy developers with more than 100 solar farms in its portfolio. It originated, financed and built the Clayhill project, which is a 10MW solar installation combined with a 6MW energy storage facility. BYD supplied the solar panels and the five battery storage units and Huawei supplied the solar inverters – a second ‘first’ for the UK market, marking the first time the ground-breaking 1500V inverters have been deployed in Europe.

Huawei 1500V inverters

Key points about the Huawei 1500V inverter are according to the company:

It significantly improves power yields due to several innovative features, with a high EU efficiency of 98.8 percent, as well as a low failure rate.
It includes six Maximum Power Point Trackers (MPPTs) and twelve directly connected string inputs, helping to improve the flexibility of PV strings and maximise yields.
It offers the highest power-to-weight ratio in the industry for ease of install.
As with all Huawei string inverters, the 1500v uses natural cooling technology with no external fans, no filters requiring cleaning or exchanging, and no DC fuses. This helps to improve reliability and minimise O&M costs.
This smart PV solution has been installed using power line communication. Data is transmitted over the existing power line, and does not require additional communications cables, reducing the construction and maintenance costs and improving communication reliability and efficiency.

“Huawei is proud to have worked with Anesco for this landmark UK solar industry development. Significant technological advances, underpinned by industry collaboration have helped deliver the first subsidy-free solar farm in the UK and Huawei’s smart PV solution has played a critical role in the successful delivery of this initiative,” Lord Browne of Madingley, Chair of Huawei UK, commented. “This project is evidence of how solar is not only one of the most competitive renewables, but is now able to compete with all forms of generation. Huawei is very pleased to have played a role in delivering Clayhill Solar Park.” (HCN)