CASE STORY
Creacombe Solar Farm
Supplying enough power for five local parishes.
Overview
Creacombe Solar Farm is a community owned asset held by Community Owned Renewable Energy Partners (CORE) and Yealm Community Energy’s (YCE). Construction began in September 2019 and the solar farm generates enough equivalent energy to supply all the homes in five local parishes. PJ Hirons were contracted to Goldbeck Gmbh to install the high voltage earthing for the project.
Challenges
1
CHALLENGE 1
To complete all work within the project timescales, allowing other contractors to begin work promptly.
2
CHALLENGE 2
To create minimal ground disturbance, leaving no open trenches.
3
CHALLENGE 3
Provide the client with the peace of mind of a
quality installation.
SOLUTIONS
The team installed over 2km of earthing in 2 days and within a week the solar arrays and control equipment were all connected. The team returned to site to complete the Invertor earthing when the units were delivered and placed in-situ. The earthing system was installed to BS EN 62446-1:2016+A1:2018 Photovoltaic (PV) systems, this covers the requirements for testing, documentation and maintenance of grid connected systems. Exothermically welded joints were tested using Megger Ductor DLR 010HD in line with the client’s Inspection Test Plan.
A completion report was provided to the client including photographic evidence of the installation and cable joints, calibration certificates of tools and as built drawings in order to evidence the high quality installation and ensure peace of mind.
The earthing system passed the independently provided fall of potential test.
PJ Hirons have a fleet of cable ploughs to suit different terrains and earthing systems. Our small wheeled Case plough is suitable for smaller compact solar farms. The tracked Delta 150 is able to plough deeper and in wetter, heavier ground conditions. For remote Wind Farms, the Fockerspeger spider plough – complete with sanding cart – can make a one pass installation for direct lay HV cables.
PETER HIRONS MD
‘We are delighted to work with Goldbeck Gmbh. This is our third project for them in the UK. Using the direct ploughing method, we are one of the first contractors on site and are able to leave the ground in good condition for the rest of the construction team. We look forward to working with Goldbeck again.’
RESULTS
PJ Hirons installed the earthing system on time, working as part of the complex solar farm installation. The earthing system passed the fall of potential test allowing Goldbeck Gmbh to hand over the project to the client and to the satisfaction of Western Power Distribution, the local distribution network operator.
Case Studies
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PJ Hirons were contracted by Goldbeck Gmbh to install the high voltage earthing for the project.
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When your business depends on dry weather how do you manage a 50 x increase in demand for water?
Why not add to your
business income and help
towards the environment?
PJ Hirons were contracted by Goldbeck Gmbh to install the high voltage earthing for the project.
2 neighbours decide on a water borehole to replace unreliable private supply previously shared by 8.