Black & White Facilities / Service brief
Solar PV
Plan a solar array around site demand and the intended use of its electricity. Roof opportunity or an estate energy programme may prompt assessment, but sizing also needs roof condition, orientation, shading and electrical constraints alongside the space available for panels.
Overview
Explain what solar generation should achieve and the issue behind the proposal. Identify the property, users affected and changed activity, so assessment follows the estate’s current energy requirement rather than simply applying an earlier installation arrangement.
Our full service catalogue, including every individual service, is available across every listed sector and location. For one site or several, we agree the scope, access and programme around the buildings concerned.
What the service can include
The PV instruction covers feasibility, roof and access connections, electrical design, network requirements and installation. Include commissioning, monitoring and maintenance information. Any supporting structural work or roof repairs have a separate scope where needed for the proposed array.
What to consider
Forecast generation relies on the site assessment and its assumptions. Using electricity locally and exporting it involve different commercial arrangements. Do not translate a generation estimate directly into a promised bill reduction without considering how that electricity will be used.
The solar proposal identifies our instructed activities and the arrangements that remain with the site team. Related repairs and specialist work receive separate scopes, setting out responsibility for delivery arrangements and the records expected at completion.
Before we visit
Gather roof drawings, condition records, consumption data and electrical information. State the energy objective and any roofing works already planned. Agree access and identify the teams responsible for design, connection and ongoing operation.
How we help
We examine the premises and demand before defining the array and associated interfaces. Delivery planning brings roof tasks and electrical work together. Handover contains commissioning records, system details, monitoring arrangements and the care needed to maintain a serviceable installation.
For a solar programme across several sites, agree common reporting and escalation but retain local contacts and operating constraints. Attribute actions to the relevant premises or service area and establish a named route for decisions with wider effects.
What affects cost and timing
Array scale, roof condition, access, electrical changes and network arrangements shape the budget. Allow for future roof care and access to remove equipment when assessing the proposal. Apply consistent assumptions for demand and generation when comparing options.
Confirm site operating hours, critical periods and the activities that need to continue during installation. The programme and cost should allow for phased work, additional access arrangements and reporting required by operational teams.
Sector applications
Solar work must be coordinated with the premises’ activity. Offices need arrangements for staff and visitors; Retail needs trading and deliveries considered. Include guest areas and food operations for Hospitality, and teaching-related access for education. We support all sectors through the complete service and project offering, with arrangements defined for each site.
Local coverage
Solar enquiries can include premises across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Tees Valley, including Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnwick, Morpeth, Hexham, Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, Durham, Darlington, Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough. Check View all locations when preparing the site list.
An estate solar enquiry needs the local contact and working restrictions for each address. Include the differences between premises in the common brief so they inform delivery planning.
Frequently asked questions
Does the largest possible array give the best outcome?
Not always. Select array size with regard to demand, site constraints and the arrangements for export.
Can panels be fitted before roof repairs?
Review necessary repairs and the roof’s condition before installation so panels do not prevent essential roofing work.
Does PV normally power a building during an outage?
Do not rely on it. Supplying the building during an outage requires a deliberately designed backup arrangement.
Can an estate programme use one standard design?
Coordinated procurement still needs individual assessment of each supply, roof and consumption profile.
Knowledge and guidance
Use Official guidance for the relevant solar context. For related background, see building management systems explained and planning an energy improvement project, or browse the wider Knowledge Centre.
Related services and your next step
Consider Battery Storage alongside the wider Energy and Renewable Technologies offering when defining a solar project. Ongoing care is described in maintenance, with smaller projects under Minor Works. The services and projects directories show the full range.
For a solar project, provide the premises, available records and operational outcome required. Use Contact Black & White Facilities to share those details and working constraints so we can establish the scope and what follows.
Discuss the scope
Tell us what needs attention.
Share the site, the issue and any access requirements so we can discuss the next step.