The future of Udny Station Community Centre looks bright thanks to the installation of a new solar PV and inverter system by Kintore-based i-Protech, a leading provider of green energy products.
i-Protech was approached by the Aberdeenshire Centre to look at ways of creating a more energy efficient and climate responsible space for the various groups and clubs which use the premises each week.
The team at i-Protech assessed the site and a plan was agreed which would work alongside the Centre’s existing panels and inverter. A further two sets of panels – totalling 7.36kW - were installed, with a new inverter for each set of panels, one of which was a hybrid allowing for a DC-connected battery to be installed. This allows any excess energy to be captured and stored for use during peak periods, reducing overall grid usage. The building was also given additional loft insulation.
To cover the cost of the work, the Udny Station Community Association, which owns and manages the Centre, applied for a Scottish Government grant, which offers community buildings up to 80% of the cost for improvements which will help them achieve a net zero rating. The additional cost of the work was secured from the Hill of Fiddes Community Fund.
Chair Andrew Ayton said that the cost savings made by the new system will secure the Centre’s future.
“Udny Station Community Centre sits at the heart of our local community and provides a vital space where people can meet regularly. As such, demands on energy are high, with around 75% of the Centre’s budget taken up by electricity and heating,” he said.
“With price hikes in recent years, the costs were becoming increasingly unsustainable, so we decided to look ways in which to cut costs. The government grant also allowed us to get a free energy report, which shows that we have reduced our carbon emissions by 66%, which is fantastic. We got a couple of quotes for the work, but the team at i-Protech gave us a lot of great advice and were good value for money.”
Charles Esson, Lead Renewables Co-ordinator at i-Protech, said that they are seeing an increase in the number of community halls and groups contacting them as they look to reduce energy costs.
“The benefits of solar PV are definitely worth considering,” said Charles.
“Because the return of selling any excess electricity back to the Grid is so low, we advised Udny Community Association that they use as much as possible. The Community Centre is used pretty much all day, every day, and they go through a lot of hot water, so we installed an Eddi to divert any spare energy to water tanks to heat water. Basically, the energy made in the morning heats the water, while the afternoon light provides the heating, which they only really need in the cooler months.
“There’s also a useful App, which allows them to remotely access and schedule the heating and water to go on, as well as disable the boost mechanism and monitor how much energy is being made.”