Summary
EvoEnergy partnered with East Lindsey District Council to deliver an integrated solar PV and battery storage solution at The Hub in Horncastle, Lincolnshire. The project combined 220 kWp of solar PV with a 360 kWh DC-coupled battery storage system, helping the council reduce its reliance on grid electricity.
By integrating ground-mounted solar panels, solar carports and battery storage, the installation is forecast to generate 229,534 kWh of renewable electricity annually and reduce grid electricity consumption by approximately 65%, supporting the council’s long-term sustainability objectives.
The Challenge
Although The Hub already featured a small rooftop solar PV installation, East Lindsey District Council wanted to explore further opportunities to reduce energy expenditure and carbon emissions.
The challenge was to develop a cost-effective renewable energy solution that maximised onsite solar consumption while meeting planning, electrical and environmental requirements. Minimising surplus electricity exported to the grid was particularly important, alongside avoiding the additional costs, delays and uncertainty associated with a new G99 grid connection application.
The project required a carefully designed approach that could expand renewable generation while maintaining financial viability and complying with site-specific requirements.
Our Solution
Following a competitive tender process, EvoEnergy was appointed as the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) delivery partner. Our consultancy team reviewed and optimised the original specification, introducing a 360 kWh DC-coupled battery storage system to store surplus solar generation for later use. This improved the project’s financial potential without requiring an additional G99 application.
The installation included 173 kWp of ground-mounted solar PV using a single-post, single-module structure, alongside 47 kWp of Bluetop solar carports designed to meet planning requirements for height and glint and glare. Both systems feature 650 Wp bifacial solar modules, which capture reflected sunlight to improve energy generation.
EvoEnergy’s turnkey delivery also covered electrical and civil engineering works, perimeter security fencing, CCTV and landscaping. Bird and bat boxes were incorporated to meet the council’s environmental and planning requirements.
The Result
The completed solar PV and battery storage system is forecast to generate 229,534 kWh of renewable electricity annually, saving approximately 47,575 kg of CO₂ per year and reducing annual grid electricity consumption by around 65%.
The integration of battery storage is expected to increase onsite consumption of generated solar electricity by approximately 55%, allowing more renewable energy to be used within the facility rather than exported to the grid.
Through value engineering and turnkey delivery, EvoEnergy transformed underutilised land into productive renewable energy infrastructure, helping East Lindsey District Council reduce operational costs, improve energy efficiency and progress towards its long-term sustainability goals.