Summary
EvoEnergy delivered a 177 kWp ground-mounted solar PV system with 96 kWh of battery storage for Brymbo Heritage Trust – Stori Brymbo, supporting the regeneration of the historic Brymbo Steelworks site. The system was designed as a flexible, modular energy solution capable of supporting the new visitor centre while allowing additional solar and battery capacity to be added as the wider site develops. Brymbo
The Challenge
Brymbo Heritage Trust wanted to reduce the long-term operating costs and carbon footprint of its new visitor centre, but the proposed solar location presented several technical challenges. The array was to be constructed on a former colliery spoil heap classified as contaminated land, meaning the ground could not be disturbed and conventional piled foundations were unsuitable.
As the visitor centre was a new development, there was also no historical electricity consumption data on which to base the system design. In addition, the project required a 450-metre cable route between the solar array and visitor centre, while the overall solution needed to accommodate future expansion as the regeneration project progressed.
Our Solution
EvoEnergy designed, installed and commissioned the complete solar PV and battery energy storage system. With no historic energy data available, our team modelled the visitor centre’s anticipated electricity demand and assessed multiple system configurations before developing a modular design that could be expanded in the future.
To protect the contaminated ground, the solar array was installed using ballasted foundations rather than traditional piling. A detailed topographical survey was also undertaken to engineer the 450-metre cable route connecting the generation system to the visitor centre.
A DC-coupled battery energy storage system was integrated with the solar installation, enabling surplus solar generation to be stored and helping maximise the amount of renewable electricity consumed onsite.
The Result
The project was successfully delivered within the client’s funding programme, with installation completed between March and May and the system commissioned in June. The completed installation gives Brymbo Heritage Trust a renewable energy asset that meets the visitor centre’s current requirements while retaining the flexibility to expand alongside the wider regeneration project.
The 177 kWp solar PV and 96 kWh battery system is forecast to generate 181,832 kWh of renewable electricity annually and save approximately 42,367 kg of CO₂ in its first year of operation. The project demonstrates how an appropriately engineered solar and storage solution can unlock renewable energy opportunities even on technically challenging brownfield sites.