UPOWA completes rooftop solar programme for Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, powering water treatment operations towards net-zero.
UPOWA helped drive Dwr Cymru Welsh Water’s Welsh Water's energy neutral ambitions with the completion of rooftop solar arrays at 5 x water and wastewater treatment facilities. The 387.65 kWp multi-site commercial solar project helped Welsh Water monetise otherwise unused roof space to increase on-site generation capacity and power their operations with solar electricity.
As one of the largest energy users in Wales with an annual energy consumption of 460GWh, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water need huge amounts of electricity to pump the 800 million litres of water it supplies daily to over three million people across its service network.
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water currently generates more than 25% of its own energy needs through a combination of solar, wind, hydro and advance anaerobic digestion technologies across 50 x of its operational sites.
Project Overview
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water appointed UPOWA as its commercial solar installation partner to deliver phase 1 of its Glas Advantage Renewable Energy Programme. Under the contract, UPOWA managed each stage of the retro-fit solar rollout programme. From feasibility, design and supply, through to construction, electrical installation and commissioning of rooftop solar arrays at 5 x water treatment facilities
Following successful feasibility of each building’s roof type and structure. UPOWA conducted on-site structural and electrical surveys to identify any potential issues that could arise. Our in-house design team reviewed the results and presented initial designs for client consideration. Following sign-off, the project team submitted final PV system designs for, adhering to the contract and performance targets required.
Due to varying roof types identified at the water and wastewater treatment sites, we proposed the UPOWA Inline Solar solution for the slate tile roofs and a fixed framework PV solution for the trapezoidal roofs. Both types satisfied the structural reports received at the survey stage.
The UPOWA Solution
UPOWA completed the roofing, electrical installation and commissioning of 5 x commercial rooftop solar systems in challenging weather conditions and against short timescales. The result saw all works being completed to a high-quality standard, in a safe manner and to programme deadlines.
Before energising each of the solar arrays, our on-site management liaised with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water’s on-site OPS teams to facilitate an electrical shutdown to minimise disruption to the wastewater treatment process. We delivered a system operation handover for each of the retro-fit solar systems and produced site-specific H&S files and O&M manuals.
With a combined solar energy capacity of nearly 387.5 kWp, the rooftop solar arrays now generate up to 360 kWh of zero carbon electricity per annum. This will reduce Dwr Cymru Welsh Water’s operational carbon emissions by approximately 186 tonnes each year.
UPOWA has been able to unlock the value of unused roof space across Dwr Cymru Welsh Water’s portfolio. The solar panels are now helping to power the utility’s operations with reliable and cost effective zero-carbon electricity, reducing each sites reliance on grid supplied electricity.
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water went onto to appoint UPOWA as one of its trusted commercial solar PV installers to deliver Phase 2 of its Renewable Energy Programme. This is now underway, with a combination of ground mounted, floating and rooftop solar PV schemes being developed across 21 x water and wastewater treatment sites.
“Phase 1 proved a great introduction to Welsh Water on how UPOWA are market leaders in the delivery of commercial solar to the UK water industry. We look forward to bringing the high standard UPOWA guarantee to the design and delivery of phase 2 of their Renewable Energy Programme.”
Key project facts
387.5 kWp of roof-integrated solar scheme
360,000 kWh of annual solar power generation
186 Tonnes of annual carbon savings
What we installed
5 x commercial rooftop solar arrays
A mix of fixed and roof-integrated solar applications
1368 x JA Solar panels
8 x SMA Inverters
Ready to start your project?
Are you interested in finding out how UPOWA can accelerate your journey to net-zero? Contact our expert team today.