Solar Farm Construction
Building The Future
We have years of industry experience in solar farm construction and a hand-picked team of dedicated staff to complete end-to-end solar farm installations
Build Your Investment
5 Years Of SOLAR Success
HWBC Ltd is a dedicated solar farm construction, maintenance, and panel cleaning business, actively involved with solar farm projects across the UK
Build Your Solar Farm
Solar farm Construction Services
CONSTRUCTION
Our skilled solar farm installation team deliver efficient, dependable, and cost-effective solar farm construction solutions customized to meet your unique requirements
REPOWERING
Repowering your photovoltaic installations by using the latest technology to modernise and optimise your PV plant can considerably improve output
MAINTENAINCE
HWBC Ltd offer a complete or part package for maintenance and management for Solar Parks
Sustainability
Dedicated to Building a Sustainable Future Through Expert Solar Farm Installation
We Follow Best Practices
- Sustainability
- Project On Time
- Modern Technology
- Latest Designs
The Step-By-Step Guide to Solar Farm Construction
STEP 1 - Site Selection
Site Selection
Site selection is crucial in the development of any utility-scale solar project. It’s important to remember:
- An ideal site should have an abundance of solar radiation, meaning it receives ample sunlight throughout the day
- The site should be easily accessible for construction equipment and have suitable terrain for the solar panels and other equipment
- The topography of the land should be flat as possible (with a slope of no more than 5%) with no trees, and not on a flood plain (to avoid damaging equipment)
- If the agricultural land is graded 1 to 3b, it will be extremely difficult to get planning permission.
- Should be accessible to the grid or, have potential access.
- Should not be in proximity to threatened ecosystems or protected heritage or cultural sites
- Panels typically occupy a lot of space (about 25 acres of land for every 5 MW of installed capacity)
STEP 2 - Grid Connection
Grid Connection & Interconnection Agreements
The grid connection and interconnection agreements are essential components of the solar project development process.
The Grid Connection Process:
- The initial offer
- A follow-up offer
- Laying the cables and managing the connection
This process can take a while, but the first two stages usually take around 12 months to complete. Then, it’s all about how long it takes to physically lay the cables and get the project up and running
STEP 3 - Planning
Planning
If you’re planning to start a solar farm, planning permission is one of the main hurdles you’ll need to overcome. It’s a legal requirement designed to keep the UK looking relatively uniform and prevent any building that may negatively impact communities. We won’t sugarcoat it—getting planning permission for a solar farm in the UK is difficult.
STEP 4 - Site Preperation
Site Preparation
The first step in the construction phase is site preparation. This involves clearing the land of any vegetation, debris, and other obstructions that could hinder solar farm installation work. It also includes performing geotechnical assessments to evaluate the site’s soil and terrain conditions, which will determine the type of piles to be used
STEP 5 - Site Fencing & Security
Site Fencing & Security
As the equipment used in a solar farm is often costly, it can become a prime target for theft and vandalism. Because of this, a strong perimeter security and access system to prevent unauthorised access is absolutely essential
Below are some of the key reasons you should be considering installing security measures for solar panel farms:
- Protect animals from harm
- Prevent unauthorised access by pedestrians and vehicles
- Prevent disconnection and power outages
- Avoid expensive repairs
STEP 6 - Construction
Component Installation
Once the site is cleared and prepared, critical infrastructure can be installed including solar panels, inverters, mounting systems, and other necessary components.
Solar panel installation requires careful planning and execution to ensure they are installed safely and effectively.
The numerous mounting systems will be installed on the ground, depending on the design of the solar project.
The inverters are where the magic happens, converting DC electricity produced by the solar panels into consumable AC electricity that is then channelled into the grid.
Electrical Connections
So you’ve installed the solar panels and inverters, now what? it’s time to connect them to the grid. To do this, DC cables from the panels are connected to the inverters, which are then linked to the grid using AC cables.
Transformers are installed to step up the voltage of the AC electricity produced by the inverters to match the voltage of the grid.
STEP 7 - Qualitiy Control and System Performance Testing
Quality Control and Inspections
Once the above steps have been completed it’s time to inspect the setup, completing a number of quality control measures to ensure everything is working correctly.
System Performance Testing
System performance testing involves checking the output of the solar panels and verifying that the system is operating as intended.
These tests include confirmation of voltage levels and current output of the solar panels and inverters, and checking the performance of the monitoring and control systems.
Safety Compliance
Safety compliance is also a crucial element of the construction and installation phase. This includes using protective gear, working with appropriate tools, and following safety guidelines and procedures.
Final Inspections
A final inspection is carried out to ensure that the solar project is installed according to the required standards and regulations.
This inspection is performed by a qualified inspector who signs off on the installation, ensuring that it is safe and performs as expected.
Once the installation has passed the inspection, it is connected to the grid and is now operational.
STEP 8 - Operation and Maintenance
Operation and Maintenance
Once the solar project has been installed, it’s important to maintain it ensuring continued performance and longevity. The operation & maintenance (O&M) phase is a critical stage of the project lifecycle that ensures the system operates as efficiently as possible throughout its lifespan.
Monitoring System Performance
To maintain peak performance, it is crucial to monitor system performance namely, monitoring the energy output of the solar panels and the performance of the inverters.
Remote monitoring systems and performance data analysis can be used to identify any issues or defects with components. Analysing performance data helps to identify areas where improvements can be made to increase efficiency.
Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance is an essential part of O&M. Regular maintenance checks, including automated monitoring and servicing, can help to maximise efficiency, reduce downtime, meet regulatory requirements and extend the lifespan of equipment.
This can include checking for loose connections, inspecting cables and wiring, and cleaning the solar panels.
Reactive Maintenance and Repairs
Despite regular preventive maintenance, unexpected issues can still arise that require reactive maintenance and repairs.
Automated monitoring can provide troubleshooting and diagnostics that alert a project team of any malfunctions or inconsistencies. Plans should be in place for scenarios that demand reactive maintenance and repairs, and component replacements should be ready on-site to expedite repairs in the event of a component failure.
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Sustainability
Transform Communities Across the UK
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity without emitting greenhouse gases or pollutants. As a renewable resource, solar energy is abundant and inexhaustible, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. Solar farm construction plays a critical role in expanding the use of solar energy, as large-scale solar farms generate significant amounts of electricity. By harnessing this clean energy, solar panels help lower carbon footprints, promote energy independence, and support local economies through job creation
As the UK moves towards its net-zero targets, solar panels will play an integral role in shaping a sustainable future. The ongoing development of solar farm construction and other renewable energy initiatives will not only help combat climate change but also empower communities to take charge of their energy needs.