NEWS
UPDATE - MARCH 2023
We are pleased to confirm that with most of the supply issues behind us, we are now taking delivery of hardware for the first roll-out stage of Hybrid Solar Systems as part of the Legacy Project.
Around 90% of the components and all of the storage batteries to assemble 20 Inverter towers has now been delivered, with the balance due by the end of March.
Today, March 10th, saw the delivery of sufficient PV panels to power 20 systems, the ground mounting frames that will complete these solar arrays are in manufacture and due for delivery by end of April.
Trades people and technicians, all island residents, have been recruited / organised in readiness for assembly, test and installation work.
The cost of this equipment has been 100% funded by the Island of Hoy Development Trust (IoHDT) from accumulated earnings of the community wind turbine at Lyness.
Hoy Energy Matters SCIO (HEM), appointed by the IoHDT to manage the Legacy Project moving forward, is now actively seeking funding to cover installation costs of the Hybrid Solar Systems.
HEM hope to secure funding in the coming weeks so the installation process can be actioned.
Ahead of this HEM will soon be inviting residents to apply to the project so roll-out planning can begin - any requirements for qualification in respect of eligibility and / or contribution towards costs will be finalised prior to this process starting.
Whilst the alleviation of extreme fuel poverty is high on the target list of the Legacy Project, it is also a core aim of the project to make available benefits via renewable energy technologies to all island residents, therefore registering interest via the application process when announced would be the place to start for any resident looking to participate in the project.
It should be noted that whilst the Legacy Project has prioritised development around the Hybrid Inverter / Battery Towers and ground mounted Solar Arrays, other configurations of this technology have also been created.
Two particular battery storage systems of this type have been chosen to start testing this month and hopefully followed by a short pilot phase in the near future, with the specific aim of bringing benefit to island properties that already have old style grid-tied solar or microgen turbines.
Properties that do not have any existing means of renewable energy generation, or the option / room to have any installed, could potentially benefit from these secondary systems, particularly if a 'time of use' electricity tariff is available such as THTC, Economy 10, Night and Day etc.
If you have any questions about the above, or indeed any aspect of the Legacy Project or HEM SCIO, feel free to contact us using the email address below.
If you do not have access to email then just drop details of your preferred contact method into the IoHDT office - they will pass it on to us and we'll then contact you directly.
email: info@hoyenergymatters.com
