THE BRIEF
Udny Station Community Centre sits at the heart of its local community, providing a vital space where people meet regularly at the various groups and clubs which use the premises each week.
Demands on energy are high, with around 75% of the Centre’s budget taken up by electricity and heating. With price hikes in recent years, the costs were becoming increasingly unsustainable so Udny Station Community Association, which owns and manages the Centre, decided to look ways in which to cut costs.
THE SOLUTION
The Community Association discovered a funding programme by the Scottish Government, offering community buildings up to 80% of the cost for improvements which will help them achieve a Net Zero rating. The additional 20% of the cost of the work was secured from the Hill of Fiddes Community Fund.
The team at i-Protech assessed the site and a plan was agreed which would work alongside the Centre’s existing 3.6kW Inverter and 4kW panels. A further two new sets of panels – totalling 7.36kW – were installed, taking the total system up to 11.04kW, as well as an additional inverter and a DC-connected battery onto the phase with the highest usage. The building was also given additional loft insulation.
THE RESULT
Community Association Chair Andrew Ayton said that the cost savings made by the new system will secure the Centre’s future.
“The government grant 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.
“They advised us that because the return of selling any excess electricity back to the Grid is so low, we should use as much as we can. The Centre is used pretty much all day, every day, and we go through a lot of hot water, so we installed an Eddi to divert any spare energy to the water tanks to heat the water. Basically, the energy made in the morning heats the water, while the afternoon light provides the heating, which we only really need in the cooler months.
EXPLORE OUR SOLAR SOLUTIONS TODAY
Ready to discover how our solar panel installations can transform your energy efficiency and savings?
Click below to explore our comprehensive solar solutions and take the first step towards a brighter, greener future!
About Stuart Munro
Stuart Munro, Director of i-Protech Technology and i-Protech Renewables Ltd, has almost a decade of expertise with renewable energy. Stuart has solidified i-Protech’s stature as a leader in solar energy and battery storage solutions. His commitment to renewable technologies has not only advanced the company’s portfolio in electrical and security systems but also underscored his dedication to environmental stewardship.
