UPOWA delivers roof-integrated solar solution for Thakeham at Lenham Springs in Kent.
UPOWA has completed the design, supply, and installation of 114 x UPOWA Inline Solar systems at Lenham Springs, in Maidstone Kent for housebuilder and community creator, Thakeham. Thakeham constructed the new development of 122 x affordable houses and apartments in partnership with MHS Homes, one of Kent's leading housing associations.
Completed in September 2022, the green electricity generated by solar PV panels will reduce carbon emissions on the scheme by up to 95 tonnes each year. And, more importantly the sustainable energy source will protect residents against rising energy costs, delivering energy bill savings for years to come.
Thakeham is committed to people, communities, and creating amazing places to live, building high quality homes for all. With an industry-leading focus on reducing carbon emissions and delivering on ambitious sustainability goals, it is at the forefront of placemaking in the UK.
UPOWA is proud to be Thakeham's trusted solar PV, battery storage and electric vehicle charging solutions partner of choice to support its journey to creating sustainable, zero-carbon homes.
Project Overview
In May 2020, Thakeham partnered with MHS homes to redevelop a brownfield site in Lenham, Maidstone. Together they set about turning the area into a bustling new community of 122 x high-quality, affordable homes.
Lenham Springs offers a mixture of affordable one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom houses for shared ownership, affordable rent, and market rent. As a result, the project will contribute to meeting the housing need in and around the Maidstone area.
Built with sustainability in mind, Thakeham designed the homes to meet high environmental standards. Equipped with electric vehicle charging points and roof-integrated solar PV panels, the green technologies contribute to the homes achieving an impressive EPC B rating.
Thakeham appointed UPOWA to provide a complete design, supply, and installation service for the roof-integrated solar requirements at Lenham Springs to help meet the development’s carbon reduction targets.
The UPOWA Solution
UPOWA's in-house experts designed a 216kWp roof-integrated solar solution to ensure the houses and apartment blocks met their SAP targets within budget and specification.
To achieve this, we identified the most optimal elevations of each dwelling and designed PV arrays that meet the plot-specific kWh targets in the most cost-effective way. PV system sizes ranged from 1.28 to 1.98 kWp for the houses and 1.98 to 5.76 kWp for the blocks.
UPOWA’s fully-accredited installation team fitted a total of 114 x Inline Solar systems, being flexible to programme changes during the phased build. We took care of all aspects of solar PV system installation from roofing and electrical works to commissioning, and full handover.
The UPOWA Inline Solar panels installed to the roofs of each home will help lower resident electricity bills and carbon emissions long into the future.
“Having trusted partners to help deliver net zero carbon homes is crucial across our industry. UPOWA have all the technology and experience to support the delivery of projects that will have a better carbon footprint for the future. By working with UPOWA on Lenham Springs, the homes we build will reduce energy bills because of energy generated by the solar panels, and at this time that couldn’t be more important for the future residents.”
Key project facts
216 kWp roof-integrated solar scheme
182,869 kWh of annual solar power generation
95 Tonnes of annual carbon savings
What we installed
114 x UPOWA Inline Solar systems
676 x UPOWA Inline Solar Panels
114 x UPOWA Solar Inverters
Ready to start your project?
Are you interested in finding out how UPOWA can accelerate your journey to net-zero? Contact our expert team today.