Solar PV to provide up to 90% of power for Haynes Motor Museum – Solar Power Portal

Yeovil-based Haynes Motor Museum has installed a DC-optimised rooftop solar system on the building’s north-facing roof.

Installed by Sunlit Solar, the project comprises 648 high-efficiency 370W panels arranged in 18 sets of 36 panels with two SolarEdge Synergy 82.2kW inverters. According to the press release, the solar system will be capable of averaging 50% of total daily energy requirements, exceeding 90% on sunnier days.

The installation team created a digital model showcasing the optimum rooftop layout and solar array utilisation to solve difficulties with the north-facing rooftop.

As with many solar installations, safety was a prominent feature of the project. The system utilises an integrated safety technology ensuring that the modules’ power optimisers rapidly reduce the voltage across the entire array by 1V in case of an emergency.

It is worth noting that SolarEdge has been expanding its presence in the UK, primarily through energy management via the acquisition of UK-based energy analytics and internet of things (IoT) company Hark Systems in January 2023.

Mike Rogers, managing director at Sunlit Solar, said: “We’re thrilled to have completed this installation at such an iconic location. Overcoming the challenges of the roof design, the system can provide over 90% of the museum’s energy needs on sunny days.

“The safety of visitors, staff, and the priceless collection of classic vehicles was central to the project, and we’re particularly pleased to have successfully placed safety, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness at the forefront of this project.”

SolarEdge Technologies revealed in March 2023 that it had installed a 75kWp, 242-module DC-optimised solar array at Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in Jersey, Channel Islands.

Museums continue to use solar PV to decarbonise

Over the years, Solar Power Portal has reported on several UK-based museums that have installed solar to decarbonise their operations.

In 2012, the Tank Museum in Dorset installed over 200 solar photovoltaic panels on one of its exhibition halls to significantly boost the museum’s environmental credentials. Farm Power Ltd developed the solar project in partnership with the Tank Museum. Anesco, an energy efficiency solutions company, designed and installed the system.

In the same year, the Big Pit coal museum in Cardiff embraced green technology by installing 200 solar PV modules on its roof. At the time, the project was expected to provide 6% of the museum’s annual electricity consumption and was financed by Amgueddfa Cymru at around £70,000.

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