Introduction

We recently completed a 24kW solar PV installation for Ysgol Tudno in North Wales. Located in the coastal town of Llandudno in Conwy, the community primary school has over 150 pupils aged 3 to 11. With its commitment to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint, Ysgol Tudno was looking for a practical renewable energy solution that could also help reduce ongoing electricity costs.

The challenge was to design and install an efficient solar panel system across the school’s complex roof structure, while ensuring it delivered excellent long-term energy output and financial return. The completed solar PV installation supports the school’s sustainability goals and demonstrates how renewable energy can benefit public sector buildings and local communities.

Methodology

Our design team carried out a detailed site survey at Ysgol Tudno to assess the building and identify the most effective solar installation strategy. Key factors included roof orientation, structural integrity, available roof space, cable routes, access requirements and the suitability of different mounting, panel and inverter options.

The school’s older building features a complex roof structure with multiple pitches, requiring a bespoke solar PV design. Following the assessment, we planned three south-east-facing solar arrays to maximise exposure to available sunlight. The system was divided into two smaller arrays containing 12 and 10 panels, alongside a larger 32-panel array, creating a total of 54 solar panels.

A detailed project report was also produced to outline the expected financial and environmental benefits of the installation. This allowed the school to understand the projected electricity generation, potential cost savings and carbon reduction associated with the solar energy system before installation began.

Installation

The solar panel installation was scheduled while the school was closed, helping to minimise disruption to pupils, teachers and day-to-day operations. Our installation team carefully fitted 54 high-efficiency 445W solar panels to the existing roof using aluminium mounting rails.

Once the solar panels were securely installed, the system was connected and the cabling was routed internally back to the school’s plant room. All associated electrical work was completed by our qualified team, followed by comprehensive system testing to confirm that the installation was operating as it should.

The necessary certification and paperwork were also completed to ensure the 24kW solar PV system was properly signed off and ready for many years of operation.

Outcome

The completed 24.04kW solar PV system is expected to generate approximately 24.40MWh of renewable electricity each year. This is projected to deliver estimated annual electricity cost savings of around £6,100 for Ysgol Tudno, providing valuable long-term financial benefits for the school.

The environmental impact is equally significant, with estimated annual carbon dioxide emissions reductions of approximately 4.72 tonnes. This is equivalent to planting around 217 trees each year, demonstrating the positive contribution the solar panel installation makes to carbon reduction.

For Ysgol Tudno, the project provides a reliable source of renewable energy, reduces reliance on grid electricity and creates a valuable opportunity to demonstrate sustainability in practice. The installation shows how schools and public sector organisations can invest in solar PV to achieve measurable financial savings while supporting a cleaner, more sustainable future.