Stages towards installation

Desktop Assessment

The first step towards installation of any renewable technology is for an initial ‘desktop’ assessment to be carried out. This is the initial contact made with Sustainable Energy Systems to talk through your project ideas and discuss which technology is best suited. Our experienced and knowledgeable staff will talk you through your chosen technology logging information about your site and needs. From the information gathered, we will produce a short report containing estimates of cost, yield and payback period. This will give you an overview of your project and assist you in deciding which technology you wish to install.

Site Survey

Following your desktop assessment, the next stage is to have an engineer visit your site and carry out a full site survey. Not only will this confirm details gained from your initial assessment but will give us and you a better understanding of your site with regards to installation.

Wind

During your wind site survey, one of our engineers will discuss which turbine would be most suitable for your property and where it could be situated. This can depend on the surrounding landscape and also the amount of energy required. We will assess factors such as wind speed to find the optimal position for your turbine. Once the location has been decided, a thorough inspection of your property is carried out to assess costs for groundwork, materials required, documentation required such as planning permission and connection to the national grid (if applicable).

PV

An engineer will visit your proposed Solar PV array site and carry out a thorough inspection of your property. This will include: discussing what size array would be most suitable, where it will be situated, how it will be connected to the main power supply, assessing your annual Solar Radiation Capture, predicting your Annual Energy Output, assessment of property energy usage, determining any planning and building control requirements. We will assess all aspects of a possible install including any documentation which may be required, delivery aspects, materials needed based on your site and also the connection to the existing electricity supply.

Once your Site Survey is complete, a full comprehensive report will be produced displaying all information captured and the outcome of your survey. This will include photographs of the location and connection point, a site plan and also a montage of your selected technology, in your proposed location. It will also include details which would be required for a planning application such as noise data and land boundary images (wind only). This report will then be sent to you electronically or a paper copy sent via the post.

Wind Assessment

A survey carried out to assess if a site is suitable for a wind turbine and to give you an idea of how much power could be generated. The survey can be carried out over 3,6,9 or 12 months and measured at a height of 12, 15 or 18m. One of our engineers will visit your property and install a met’ mast at the proposed turbine location. Once installed, the mast will record the wind speed logging the average every 2 minutes continuously over 24 hour periods for your chosen length of assessment. The data is then collected and analysed. Once the assessment period has ended you will be given a report and record of the data collected which will advise you of the wind speed at your proposed turbine site and enables you to decide which turbine would give you maximum yield and is suitable for your site. If you have already chosen your turbine, this report can be made specific to this product.

Planning

If you are installing a wind turbine, we can offer a full planning service. As planning can sometimes be a time consuming project, this service enables you to sit back and let us do the leg work. Using the information gained during your site survey, we can complete all documentation and produce maps in support of your planning application. We will submit the application to your local council and follow the application through giving any support the planning office may require.

Foundation & Installation

When all aspects of installation have been decided, our engineers will install your system based on the designs created through your site survey and discussions. Our engineers are highly trained and experienced in installation of both wind and solar photovoltaics. They are courteous and careful to make your installation streamline and as least disruptive to you as possible. The entire process including trenching and pouring of concrete through to final commissioning usually takes between 4-6 days. A 2 week period between foundation and installation is required for the concrete to cure.

Service & Aftercare

Your chosen technology has been installed and is generating. If you have any queries or concerns about your installation, our dedicated team are on hand to assist.

We can set up a service and maintenance plan specifically for your installation including annual service and repair schedules. As with any machine regular inspection and service required to maintain longevity of your investment, we therefore can contact you around your installations birthday in order to advise that a service is required.

The team at Sustainable Energy Systems Ltd are dedicated to offering our customers the best service possible and offering our knowledge and expertise to make your installation run as smooth as possible.