Solar System Capacity: 5.88kWp + 14.2kWh battery
Number of PV Panels: 14
Annual Energy Generation: 4,500 kWh
First-Year Financial Savings: £1,800
Total CO₂ Savings: 1 tonne per annum
ROI Period: 7 years
Installation Duration: 1 weeks

 

Transforming Clipston Village Hall

Thanks to incredible fundraising efforts by the local community and generous grants, Clipston Village Hall has undergone an extensive refurbishment to mark its 50th anniversary. As part of this transformation, Plug me in, previously trading locally as Environmental Energies, was delighted to be selected to install a state-of-the-art solar PV and battery system, helping to secure the hall’s sustainable future.
Situated just south of Market Harborough, where Plug me in’s solar division is headquartered, Clipston Village Hall is a vital hub for local life. The venue is regularly hired out for parties and receptions, classes and community events, film nights, coffee mornings, and fayres, making it a focal point of the village.
The hall’s management committee, led by its Chair, Faye Tan, had spent five years raising funds and applying for grants and funding to complete the much needed renovation and refurbishment works, which included replacement of flat roof coverings, upgraded electrics, new windows and doors, kitchen and toilet facilities, as well as a new heating system. 

The installation of solar panels and battery storage was an absolute priority and was enabled by a sizable award from the National Lottery Community Fund. Faye Tan explains why installing a solar PV system with battery storage was such a key requirement. “We desperately needed to reduce the running costs of the hall, and heating was by far our biggest expense. The hall is regularly used in the evenings and the storage heating system we had, meant the hall was warm in the mornings, but often cold by the evenings, necessitating the use of electric panel heaters to 'boost' the temperature. With a solar and battery system, we anticipate reducing running costs by 25% or more, as the battery system can store electricity generated during the day, for use at night. The fact that the system is very low maintenance and would reduce our CO2 emissions also appealed, as did the fact that the installation costs of solar were significantly lower than other technologies we considered.”

 

 

Why Plug me in was the perfect partner

 

As a local company, we had installed several solar PV systems on other properties in the village, and the management committee were keen to work with local companies wherever possible. Faye explains why we were awarded the contract. “The grant applications required us to complete full tender processes, and as part of that we obtained quotes from several solar installers. Plug me in, who at the time was trading as Environmental Energies, were well priced, local, with a good reputation and I knew from personal experience that they would be easy to work with and accommodating of our needs and timescales.”

 

 

Installation details

We worked with Faye and the project team to understand the hall’s current and projected energy consumption, before designing a system that would generate maximum output. This included 14 Sun Tech panels fixed onto the hall’s new flat roof, as well as a 14.2kWh battery.  The installation, which took one week, is estimated to produce annual energy savings of 4,500kWh and one tonne of CO2 emissions. We project the first year’s financial savings will be £1,800, with a return on investment over a period of seven years. 

 

Navigating challenges

In an extremely unfortunate set of events, the main contractor overseeing the hall’s refurbishment, went into administration and has since been liquidated. As a result, Plug me in and other sub-contractors went partially or fully unpaid, despite the committee having paid the main contractor for their works. 
Despite this, we remain committed to supporting the village community, as Zara Glew, Commercial Director explains, “We take great pride in supporting our local community. Despite the contractor’s liquidation, we honoured the two-year workmanship warranty, ensuring the hall can rely on us for any repairs or support.”

 

 

A bright future for Clipston

 

Faye Tan expressed her gratitude, “I would 100% recommend Plug me in. The situation we found ourselves in was extremely difficult, but Plug me in’s response has been incredible. We are enormously appreciative of the work that Plug me in did and the fact they have honoured the workmanship warranty. The solar installation will make a big difference to our running costs, generating savings that will enable us to continue to support local community groups and events for many more years to come.”

Plug me in is proud to support community projects like Clipston Village Hall. If your organisation is looking to reduce energy costs and embrace a greener future, we’re here to help. Get in touch today!