Technologies

Technologies

Solar PV

Solar PV

Public sector organisations and communities can play a huge part in changing the way energy is generated and managed.

Our innovative approach to solar development can help local authorities meet obligations to cut carbon emissions and contribute to national renewable energy targets and energy security.

Solar PV can help you to:

Generate revenue through rent, business rates and investment opportunities

Generate revenue through rent, business rates and investment opportunities icon

Save council-taxpayers’ money on Council energy bills

Save council-taxpayers money on council energy bills icon

Help make the most of under-utilised assets

Help make the most of under-utilised assets icon

Reduce your carbon footprint

Reduce your carbon footprint icon

Provide opportunities for community investment and community benefit funds

Provide opportunities for community investment and community benefit funds icon

Buildings, car parks, unused or low-grade farmland and closed landfill sites can all be used to produce energy - whether they are council-owned assets or belonging to local landowners.

This brings wider economic benefits, especially as budgets are being reduced.

We are leaders in developing solar projects for the public sector.

Our award-winning, innovative track record includes:

  • Over 170MW of solar development

    Over 170 MW of solar development

    Ranging from rooftop schemes to some of the largest solar farms in the UK.

  • Wroughton Airfield Solar Farm

    Wroughton Airfield Solar Farm

    One of the largest ground mount solar parks in the UK with 62 MW capacity.

    Read more
  • Chapel Farm Solar Park

    Chapel Farm Solar Park

    The first solar farm funded by a Council backed community solar bond, winning 2017 APSE award for Best Renewable Energy Initiative.

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  • Common Farm Solar Park

    Common Farm Solar Park

    The first solar farm funded by an ISA-eligible renewable energy bond

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  • Award winning

    Award winning

    2016 Regen Green Energy Award for ‘Most Proactive Public Sector Organisation’

Battery storage

With recent advances in technology, falling costs and better regulation, commercial scale electricity storage is now a great proposition for local authorities.

PPS is leading the market on this cutting-edge technology. We have developed one of the UK’s largest standalone battery-based electricity storage sites for Swindon Borough Council, with a permitted capacity of 50 MW.

We can manage every aspect of the project for you, whichever model you choose.

Suitable sites are:

Buildings with high electricity consumption

Building with high electricity consumption icon

Land assets close to existing grid infrastructure

Land assets close to existing grid infrastructure icon

Land assets larger than a quarter acre

Land assets larger than quarter acre icon

Land assets segregated from residential properties, outside AONBs and areas of other environmental sensitivity

Land positioning requirements icon

Many local authorities have a diverse property portfolio offering excellent opportunities to benefit from the growing demand for energy storage infrastructure. We can also identify suitable privately owned sites.

Behind-the-meter, grid-connected, large-scale energy storage offers better control over energy usage and costs.

  • Invest directly to gain from lower electricity bills and receive revenue payments from the National Grid, or

  • Lease your asset to a third party who will pay a valuable long-term rental.

Solar carports

Solar carports can be designed for use on a range of car park types, on both surface and multi-storey assets, and offer an option for generating renewable electricity without compromising the underlying function for parking.

In addition to generating income for owners, solar carports provide shelter for vehicles, and the electricity generated can be connected to the national grid, or used on site for charging electric vehicles. Innovative schemes can provide additional value by incorporating rainwater harvesting or even advertising.

We can also help you implement electric vehicle charging infrastructure, powered either by solar energy through a private-wire or the grid.

EV charging

EV charging

The electric vehicle revolution is unstoppable. Robust infrastructure is critical to support it.

We are working with local authorities to ensure they implement EV charging networks which will meet the future needs of residents and businesses while also being commercially viable.

Factors to consider:

  • Sources of power for charging – local grid or standalone? EV charging points can be coupled with solar carports and battery storage for generation and storage.

  • Parking and charging rules need to be carefully considered and implemented.

  • Variable charging speeds depending on location. For example slow charging should be used in residential areas for overnight charging. At shopping centres fast chargers may be more appropriate. Service stations will require rapid chargers.

PPS will coordinate both with the local authority and local businesses to come up with a commercial proposition that fits the Council’s aspirations.