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HBS New Energies appointed to design and install a 793.2 kWp roof-integrated solar PV scheme across 228 eco-homes for the Elmsbrook Eco-Town in Oxfordshire, the UK’s first and largest zero-carbon housing scheme.
In 2018, Crest Nicholson selected HBS New Energies as their solar delivery partner to design, supply and install 793.2 kWp of roof-integrated solar PV for 228 sustainable new homes for phase 3 and 4 of the award-winning Elmsbrook Eco-Town development in North West Bicester, Oxfordshire.
In a joint venture partnership between A2 Dominion and Crest Nicholson the £80 million residential scheme currently under construction is set to provide 232 two, three, four and five-bedroom eco-homes over the 25-acre site. Of these new homes, 30% are for affordable housing, while the remaining homes will be available for private sale.
Designed and built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5, the new homes at the next phases of Elmsbrook will benefit from rain water harvesting systems, EV charging, roof-integrated solar PV panels and will be heated by a district heating network connecting to a CHP energy centre, creating the UK’s first large-scale zero-carbon housing scheme.
Roger Martin, Crest Nicholson, Senior Quantity Surveyor said:
‘‘We selected HBS New Energies as the schemes trusted solar PV partner having demonstrated a faultless performance at Oakgrove, one of Crest Nicholson’s large-scale developments in Milton Keynes.
I found HBS extremely helpful in every stage of the tender process for Elmsbrook. The team provided excellent communication and expert guidance with regards to value engineering and design to ensure the scheme met its strict energy targets on budget.’’
Summary of new build solar PV services
- The design team value engineered a roof-integrated PV system tailored to suit the mixed house types, with system sizes ranging from 2.4-4.5 kWp. This offered the most cost-effective solution for Elmsbrook (Crest A2D) LLP to ensure the project met the required energy targets, whilst offering a sleek and aesthetic finish for each new zero-carbon home.
- With the project currently live, HBS New Energies are working alongside Crest Nicholson’s site team to ensure the smooth completion of each new dwelling in line with the build programme. HBS’ solar install teams are managing all aspects of roofing, installation, electrical connection and system commissioning.
- When complete, the 793.2 kWp new build solar PV scheme at the Elmsbrook Eco-Town will generate an estimated 759,888 kWh in annual zero carbon electricity from on-site renewable energy sources. The solar panels will help to offset the developments carbon footprint by an impressive 379.944 tonnes per year and provide valuable energy savings for the occupants.
Project summary
| No. of plots | 228 |
| System size | 2.4 – 4.5 kWp |
| Estimated project yield | 759,888 kWh |
| Annual CO2 savings | 379.944 t |