Relocating and optimising 3.5 acres of a 6MWp solar farm for One Horton Heath
Relocating and optimising 3.5 acres of a 6MWp solar farm for One Horton Heath
3.5 acres
Solar farm relocation
1824
solar panels moved
3km
Underground cables laid
Project: Commercial
Location: Hampshire
Sector: Public sector
Service: Groundmount solar farm
Date: 2022
Client
One Horton Heath is an exciting sustainable development initiated by the Eastleigh Borough Council in Hampshire. This innovative project aims to provide 2,500 homes, a vibrant local centre, a primary school, and a sports field, as well as better infrastructure, three new commercial hubs, and a host of connected spaces and informal areas for wildlife to thrive.
Challenge
As part of its commitment to sustainable development, the Eastleigh Borough Council has acquired the 6.3 megawatt solar farm situated at the heart of the One Horton Heath community. This site hosts over 25,600 solar PV panels covering around 34 acres of land.
To construct a new link road between Hedge End and Bishopstoke, passing through the Council’s One Horton Heath development, 3.5 acres of the solar farm had to be relocated. The new road is a crucial piece of local infrastructure designed to provide a direct and efficient route for vehicles and cyclists traveling east towards Eastleigh and the M3 corridor.
Solution
To successfully relocate and optimise the 3.5 acres of ground-mounted solar, Ecogen Energy was responsible for the following tasks:
- Conducting IV curve and fill factor testing on all panels
- Dismantling and relocating the solar arrays
- Relocating 3.5 acres of a 6MWp solar farm
- Laying 3km of underground cables
- Reconfiguring DC strings across 3MWp
- Reprogramming inverters and SCADA monitoring systems
- Fully labeling new and existing solar panel circuits, string combiner boxes, and cabling
- Recommissioning and testing all DC and AC components
- Ensuring the system is operational
- Checking the operational status of the SCADA monitoring system
- Providing all handover documents, including certificates and warranties
Technologies
Inverters: ABB (FIMER) inverters
Panels: JA Solar
Mounting kit: Solarports
"A few months ago, Ecogen Energy carried out work on an Eastleigh Borough Council project. Right from the initial meeting and pre-planning stage, we found them to be committed to our requirements. They carried out the work to a very high standard, with attention to detail and customer requirements at the forefront of everything they did.The quality of the work and their high level of skill in problem-solving led to a very successful project delivered safely, on time, and within budget. Throughout the project, staff at all levels were highly respectful and courteous to members of the EBC team and all stakeholders."
Kevin Bunday, Head of Delivery, Eastleigh Borough Council
