Hall Hunter Partnership – Tuesley Farm
1.7MWp Solar PV Installation

The Hall Hunter Partnership approached Noble Green Energy to expand their existing PV systems at Tuesley Farm to over 2.1MWp

With rooftop space fully utilised and further on-site generation limited by the site’s existing electrical capacity, a strategic review was undertaken to identify the most effective path forward.

Project Scope & Planning

The NGE design and commercial teams worked closely with the client to assess investment options, balancing return on investment, carbon footprint reduction, and long-term energy resilience. It was determined that an upgrade of the site’s mains electrical supply was necessary. This included:

Upgrading the existing DNO transformer to a 1.5MVA unit
Upgrading associated site distribution infrastructure
Retaining DNO ownership of the new transformer to reduce ongoing maintenance responsibilities

To streamline approval and minimise DNO-related upgrade costs, an export limit of 999kW was agreed upon, avoiding costly and time-consuming upstream network reinforcement studies.

System Design

A ground-mounted solar PV array was installed, consisting of:

2,874 × Canadian Solar 610W Bi-Facial Modules
12 × Solis 5G 100kW String Inverters
Twin post piled mounting system
G100-compliant import/export monitoring and control system

This array increases the solar power delivery by 1.2MW to 1.558MW.

Phased Installation & Commissioning

The project was delivered in a phased approach, fully managed by NGE:

Planning & Pre-installation:
Gantt charts were employed to develop a collaborative works programme that aligned with the timelines and requirements of all involved parties. Planning permission was secured with the local authority. The client allocated a former polytunnel field for the array. Groundworks and equipment installation began immediately, including the PV array and dedicated distribution kiosk.
Mechanical Installation:
The mounting frame was accurately set out using GPS-guided laser mapping. The structure was pile-driven directly into the soil, eliminating the need for carbon-intensive concrete, and the modules were subsequently mounted.
Field Wiring:
The DC cabling was installed and tested in preparation for commissioning. The inverters were then mounted onto the array frame and wired back to the new distribution kiosk located near the array, ready for energisation via the upgraded site supply.
Cabling & Civil Works:
Cable trenching from the array to the supply connection point was scheduled to take place after the harvest season to minimise disruption. Works through the staff accommodation field were completed efficiently and the area reinstated promptly. The client’s existing plant room was also extended to house the new distribution panel.
Mains Supply Upgrade:
In coordination with the DNO, a new plinth and kiosk were installed. The upgraded transformer and distribution panel were brought online using the site’s backup generation to ensure almost no downtime.
System Commissioning:
Final commissioning was carried out, with G100 compliance and export limitation fully tested and witnessed by the DNO. The client was then given a full induction and presented with all documents, including an operation and maintenance package.

Outcome

The site now benefits from high solar self-consumption, routinely exporting at the agreed 999kW limit during peak sun hours. The system is fully monitored, supporting both operational efficiency and environmental goals.