Silvercrest Energy Group successfully designed and installed a 123kWp commercial solar PV system for Bancroft School, helping the school reduce operational energy costs, improve long-term energy resilience and support its sustainability objectives.
The project was designed to maximise the school’s available roof space while integrating seamlessly with existing building infrastructure. Delivered during the school half-term, the installation was completed within a tight programme, ensuring minimal disruption to staff and pupils while providing a long-term renewable energy solution for the campus.
Project
Commercial Solar Panel Installation
Client
Bancroft School
What We Did
Designed, supplied and installed a bespoke 123kWp commercial solar PV system, including feasibility studies, structural assessments, bespoke mounting design, installation, commissioning and SolarEdge performance monitoring. The project also included a live monitoring display to support sustainability education within the school.
The Client
Founded in 1737, Bancroft School is one of the UK’s leading independent schools, providing education across a modern campus with significant daytime electricity demand. The school wanted to maximise the use of its available roof space by investing in renewable energy that would reduce operational energy costs while supporting its long-term environmental objectives.
The Challenge
The project required the available roof space across multiple buildings to be utilised as efficiently as possible while accommodating different roof structures and maintaining the highest engineering standards.
Key objectives included:
- Maximise on-site renewable energy generation.
- Reduce long-term electricity expenditure.
- Minimise disruption to school operations.
- Deliver the installation within the school holiday period.
- Integrate the solar PV system with existing building infrastructure.
Engineering Solution
The project presented a variety of roofing structures requiring bespoke engineering solutions.
Sections of the roof comprised a traditional three-layer mineral felt system with stone chippings, while other areas incorporated trapezoidal steel roofing. To accommodate these differing roof types, Silvercrest Energy Group worked with specialist manufacturer BOVILL.TECH to design and fabricate bespoke ballast-mounted roof frames engineered to meet all structural, wind-loading and weight-loading requirements.
The installation incorporated SolarEdge technology and Trina Vertex solar PV modules to maximise system performance, reliability and long-term energy generation.
Project Specification
| Client | Bancroft School |
| Sector | Education |
| Location | Woodford Green, Essex |
| System Size | 123 kWp |
| Annual Generation | 110,000 kWh |
| Annual Savings | £14,637 |
| Commissioned | February 2023 |
| Annual CO₂ Reduction | 20.7 tonnes |
| Live Performance Monitoring | SolarEdge |
Year 1 Performance Returns and Savings
Following a return visit overview of the system almost a year to the day after install, the system monitoring tells us this:
111,262
Lifetime electricity supplied to date
110,000
Projected Year 1 Generation (Pre-Installation)
14,637.00
Year 1 financial savings
20,708
Annual CO₂ Reduction
Education Impact
As part of the project, a live SolarEdge monitoring portal was installed within the school, allowing staff and pupils to view the system’s performance in real time.
The renewable energy system has been incorporated into classroom activities, providing students with practical insight into renewable energy generation, sustainability and environmental responsibility.
“Very happy with our solar installation: Panels & Battery. Great communications, and excellent customer service. Would highly recommend”
Engineer's Insight
Delivering a large commercial solar installation across multiple roof types required detailed engineering and careful project planning. By designing bespoke mounting systems and completing the installation during the school holiday period, Silvercrest Energy Group successfully delivered a high-performance renewable energy solution with minimal disruption to the school’s day-to-day operations.
Ready to Reduce Your Organisation's Energy Costs?
Whether you manage a school, academy trust, college or university, Silvercrest Energy Group can design a bespoke commercial solar PV system tailored to your organisation’s energy requirements and sustainability objectives.
