CTS Solar renamed as CTS Renewables

CTS Solar is a trading name of Commercial Technical Services Ltd, a Mansfield based company specializing in the installation of building service technologies, for commercial, public sector and domestic clients. As a result of new renewable energy installation services such as solar thermal, Air Source Heat Pumps and Biomass, CTS Solar is to be replaced with CTS Renewables.

Matthew Baxter, Managing Director of Commercial Technical Services Ltd explained: “We established the grid tied Solar division of our business in response to numerous requests from our existing housing association and council clients following the installation of hundreds of Micro Solar powering solutions for Security and Communication networks, and the introduction of the Feed in Tariff Scheme.

The growth of CTS Solar has been exponential, with hundreds of domestic installations completed to date, a massive growth in 50kWp and above systems and acceptance onto several Housing Association and Council framework agreements. The division accounted for the majority of the company turnover in 2011/12.

Now our existing clients are looking at the Renewable Heat Incentive and Green Deal, and have asked us to provide options and solutions for these exciting new developments. We have Solar Thermal and Air Source Heat Pump provision already in place, Biomass and Wind Turbine installations should follow within a few short weeks.

As business, we have always tried to offer a “complete solution” for our clients, the launch of CTS Renewables is a natural progression for us”

More information about CTS Renewables can be found at the new website: www.ctsrenewables.co.uk.

50kWp Case Study: Nottinghamshire farmer installs 50kWp Solar Photovoltaic system on grain store to offset the cost of running a grain dryer.

Located in Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire, J Bealby and Sons are arable farmers with a high energy expenditure running a grain dryer to keep its crops in ideal condition to achieve the best prices at market.

To offset some of these costs and to reduce the farm’s carbon footprint, Robert Bealby contracted CTS Renewables, the renewables division of Commercial Technical Services Ltd to design and install a Solar PV system to fit on top of the Grain Store itself. Keen to balance a quality of product, with local support network and value for money, Robert opted for the Sharp Polycrystalline range of panels working with the SMA Tripower inverters.

With the roof structure made of fragile corrugated fibre board, the whole works were planned over a two week installation period to take account of the specific Health and Safety requirements of the project.

Paul West, Solar Projects Manager at CTS Renewables said: “with the significant drops in stock prices over the last few months combined with the new planning guidelines, we have seen a significant growth in interest from the farming sector. The lower capital costs for a 50kWp system have made Solar PV a more attainable proposition”

Start date: 13/02/12
Completion date: 29/02/12
Modules: 209 x Sharp ND-R245
Inverter: 3 x SMA Tri power 17000TL
Mounting system: Hilti
Power Specification (kW, MW): 50kW
Annual Power Output (kW, MW): 43954.37
Annual carbon dioxide saving: 25.8 tonnes
Expected ROI: 5 Years.

140kWp Case Study: Completion of a 140kWp poultry farm is an eggcellent result!

CTS Renewables are pleased to announce the completion of a 140kWp Solar Photovoltaic system to a poultry farm in Lincolnshire. The installation, which was an addition to a 50kWp system already in place, saw more than 580 panels and 8 inverters installed in just 10 days.

Paul West, Solar Project Manager for CTS Renewables said: “even though the size of the system was considerable we managed to get it completed, commissioned and witness tested in just 10 days. The client was keen to register the installation before the April 1st, the design and install process was efficiently managed, and the whole team pulled together to meet the deadline.”

Due to the high electricity consumption on the farm, each shed has its own electricity meter enabling the system to be designed and commissioned as three sub 50kWp systems, therefore attracting the higher Feed in Tariff rate. The system is estimated to cut the farm’s fuel bills by up to 30 percent, enabling the farm to achieve a significant savings as a result of the PV installation. CTS Renewables estimate that the payback period will be just 5 and a half years.

The installation was completed using 240w Jinko Solar polycrystalline solar modules and the Siemens PVM range of G59 three phase inverters. The solar pv system is expected to produce over 126,000kWh of electricity per year.

Start date: 16/03/12
Completion date: 26/03/12
Modules: Jinko Solar 240W Poly
Inverter: Siemens PVM17 and Siemens PVM20
Mounting system: Schuco
Power Specification (kW, MW): 140kW
Annual Power Output (kW, MW): 126,081
Annual carbon dioxide saving: Over 60 Tonnes
Expected ROI: 5.5 Years.

10kWp Case Study: Manifold Cottage Farm utilizes 10kWp Solar PV system to offset Electricity and Heating bills.

Located in the heart of rural Staffordshire, Manifold Cottage Farm is a small holding with an ambition to generate all its own electricity and heating requirements.

Nathan Johnson, the owner of the farm commissioned CTS Renewables , to install a 10kWp Solar PV system to complement the Ground Source Heat Pump system already in operation. Ground source heat pumps use pipes which are buried in the ground to extract latent heat from the earth. This heat is then be used to heat radiators, underfloor or warm air heating systems and hot water in the home. The pump itself uses electricity and produces on average 4 units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed.

By installing a solar photovoltaic system the farm can offset the electricity used to heat the property with the electricity generated.

Nathan Johnson commented: “like many people I have become increasingly frustrated with energy price rises, by combining Solar PV with a Heat Pump system I am significantly less affected by fluctuating energy costs which gives me valuable peace of mind”

Completed in time for the 12th December 2011 deadline and installed in under four days using highly efficient Hyundai monocrystalline panels, Nathan can expect a healthy return on his investment, with the installation cost expected to be recouped within 5 years.

Start date: 15/10/12
Completion date: 19/10/12
Modules: Hyundai HiS-S245MG
Inverter: 2x SMA Sunny Boy 5000TL
Mounting system: Hilti
Power Specification (kW, MW): 10kW
Annual Power Output (kW, MW): 7157.92
Annual carbon dioxide saving: 5 Tonnes
Expected ROI: 5 Years.

20kWp Case Study: Hemsworth RUFC in conversion to Solar Photovoltaic energy.

Located between Wakefield and Barnsley, Hemsworth Rugby club has an enviable track record of investing into the club. Originally based in local pubs, they now have their own Clubhouse, playing fields and training areas which are wholly owned by the club.

Thanks to the foresight of the club committee and a funding contribution from Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Hemsworth RUFC can now add the installation of a 20kWp Solar Photovoltaic system to the clubs assets.

Working alongside CTS Renewables, the committee opted for the Sharp Polycrystalline range of panels working with an SMA Tripower inverter. The system will make a considerable dent in the club’s electricity costs and the returns from the Feed in Tariff will help to fund the running of the club and potentially lead to the purchase of new equipment and resources.

Brian May, Club President member said “Hemsworth RUFC is active within the local community and we are dedicated to promoting the sport as well as providing a great facility for everybody to access. The Solar PV system will support this commitment as well as provide an example to the community that the club is taking measures to reduce its environmental impact.”

Completed in time for the 3rd March deadline and installed in under four days the club can expect a healthy return on its investment, with the installation cost expected to be recouped within 5 years.

Start date: 20/02/12
Completion date: 24/02/12
Modules: 90 x Sharp ND-R230
Inverter: SMA Tripower 17000TL
Mounting system: Clenergy
Power Specification (kW, MW): 20kW
Annual Power Output (kW, MW): 18670.20
Annual carbon dioxide saving: 10 tonnes
Expected ROI: 5 Years.

From April 1, 2012, the brand of HIT solar modules in Europe will be changed from "SANYO" to "Panasonic"

Dear SANYO customer,

from April 1, 2012, the brand for HIT® solar modules will be changed from “SANYO“ to “Panasonic“ in Europe. The change will be made to the brand only. There will be no change to the sales structure and the HIT ® solar modules will continue to be manufactured at the same SANYO production bases as before.

The brand change will be carried out throughout in Europe. The brand change to “Panasonic” is being carried
out in order to focus the management resources of the Panasonic Group in order to create greater synergy and is part of the global strategy to expand the solar business of the Panasonic Group.

Panasonic will continue to provide investment into the solar business, allowing us to offer our customers and business partners a higher level of service and high quality solar modules.

Shigeki Komatsu,
Director of the European Solar Division

Government figures suggest 50% of properties will be able to achieve an EPC rating of 'D' or higher in order to receive the 21p FIT. CTS Solar can get 90% to a level 'D' or higher, or your deposit back.

As of April 1st 2012 all new domestic installations applying for a Solar Photovoltaic feed in tariff will require the property to achieve an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) of D or above to achieve the 21p FIT rate, otherwise a rate of 9p will apply until level D is achieved.

CTS Renewables  have agreements in place to provide EPC assessments throughout the UK from March. Every assessment will reach a level D with complimentary free measures including cavity wall and loft insulation and discounted energy efficient light bulbs…..or there is no cost to you.

It's a very simple and cost effective solution and if the property can't reach a level 'D' you pay nothing.

Following an initial site assessment by a CTS Renewables surveyor, who can give an indication of EPC compliance and an agreement with the customer on the required Solar PV system, the full EPC will be completed within 7 days and all associated measures within 14 days to allow the complete installation within short time frames. If following the Full EPC assessment a category D rating cannot be achieved, the deposit will be immediately refunded in full.

Alternatively CTS Renewables can arrange for an independent, no commitment, EPC assessment from £60.

Sharp Solar polycrystalline to challenge monocrystalline dominance.

As a Solar Specialist with more than 50 years of experiance in photovoltaics (PV), Sharp makes significant contributions to groundbreaking progress in solar technology.

The polycrystalline modules in the ND series are designed for applications with high power requirements. These quality next generation modules are a real contender to current monocrystalline dominated UK solar panel market. The Sharp module boasts efficiencies of up to 15.2%, increased performance in low light conditions, a linear performance warranty and a 10 year product guarantee.

Contact CTS Renewables  on 01623 422254 for more information on this exciting new panel.  

Fronius 20 Year Aniversary - Special Offer

Dear Customer,

2012 is the year of a special anniversary for Fronius.

20 years of experience
20 years of quality
20 years of FRONIUS Solar Electronics

And we want you to celebrate this with us.
Therefore we have a special promotion for warranty extensions valid from the 1st of January until the 31st of December 2012, whereby, FRONIUS, the Austrian inverter manufacturer emphasises its position as the quality leader.

We are offering the 20 years Warranty Extension at half price.

The promotion applies to all new installations from January 1st 2012 and is valid for the FRONIUS IG, FRONIUS IG Plus, FRONIUS IG TL and FRONIUS CL series. Eligibility is dependant on the installation date, not date of purchase.

Warranty extensions purchased during the promotional period are subject to our standard warranty terms and conditions and scope of service. Our general warranty terms and conditions, with the details of all services, can be found on: http://www.fronius.com/solarelectronics/termsofwarranty

Celebrate 20 years of FRONIUS Solar Electronics with us! CTS Solar will reduce the price automatically, all you need to do is to order a 20 year Warranty Extension.

Best regards,

CTS Renewables