Russell Group university campus · 650kWp programme + heat pumps
650 kWp across 8 buildings commercial solar PV installation with combined grant + tax relief stack delivering N/A (fully grant-funded) post-tax payback on £2,600,000 gross capex.
Anonymised composite case study
Names, dates and exact financial figures have been changed to preserve client confidentiality. Project structure, funding combinations, technical configuration, and order-of-magnitude figures are real and based on completed work. Full editorial disclosure on the about page.
Project snapshot
| Sector | Higher education · multi-college campus |
| Location | North West England |
| System size | 650 kWp across 8 buildings |
| Battery storage | 120 kWh in student halls (DSR participation) |
| Gross project capex | £2,600,000 |
| Grant value | £2.6m (PSDS Phase 3c — 100%) |
| Year-1 tax relief | N/A (public sector body — no CT liability) |
| Net effective cost | £0 |
| Annual savings/revenue | £185,000/year + £8,200 DSR revenue |
| Post-tax payback | N/A (fully grant-funded) |
| CO2 saving | 138 tCO2e/year |
| Year commissioned | 2025 |
Context
The university operates a multi-campus estate across the North West, comprising student accommodation, academic buildings, library, sports facilities and administrative buildings. Annual electricity consumption: 18 GWh; gas: 28 GWh. The university's net zero plan committed to operational carbon neutrality by 2030 (Scope 1+2).
In late 2022, the Sustainability team identified PSDS Phase 3c as the funding opportunity for the next major capital programme. The estate's mix of 1960s student accommodation, 1990s academic blocks and 2010-era research buildings provided varied retrofit opportunities — and PSDS scoring rewards integrated packages combining solar, heat pumps, insulation and BMS.
The challenge
Three constraints shaped the approach:
1. **Estate complexity.** 12 buildings on three campuses, each with different age, condition and load profile. Per-building design rather than estate-wide template.
2. **Live academic year.** Construction had to happen primarily in summer break (10 weeks) and Easter/Christmas breaks (3 weeks combined). Limited working window.
3. **Listed buildings.** The Victorian-era administrative block was Grade II listed; the 1960s clinical chemistry building was unlisted but architecturally significant. Listed Building Consent and conservation consent required.
4. **Student halls electrical complexity.** Mixed-tenancy student halls (university-owned but tenant-paid bills) created landlord/tenant arrangements around solar generation ownership.
5. **Procurement compliance.** PCR 2015 / Procurement Act 2023 transition. £2.6m programme exceeded the high-value threshold requiring formal OJEU-equivalent tendering.
Funding approach
The university engaged a specialist estates consultancy 14 months before the PSDS Phase 3c window opened, investing £85,000 in pre-application design across all 12 buildings. RIBA Stage 3 design completed by April 2024.
Funding stack:
- **PSDS Phase 3c grant:** £2.6m (100% of qualifying capex) - **Salix Recycling Fund:** £180,000 at 0% interest over 8 years for BMS upgrades not PSDS-eligible - **Internal university capital:** £120,000 for Listed Building consent works on Victorian admin block
Programme structure:
**Wave 1 (Summer 2024):** 8 buildings — student halls + 4 academic blocks. 380 kWp combined solar, plus heat pump retrofit on student halls.
**Wave 2 (Summer 2025):** 4 buildings — listed admin block + 3 research buildings. 270 kWp combined, with conservation-sensitive panel placement.
**Wave 3 (planned 2026):** Sports facility roof and library. Not in current PSDS award; planned for Phase 4 application.
Outcome & performance
Wave 1 completed Q3 2024. Wave 2 completed Q3 2025. Year-one performance across all completed installations:
- **Annual generation:** 575,000 kWh from solar - **Self-consumption:** 67% (high daytime academic load + 24/7 student halls) - **Annual electricity import reduction:** £185,000/year - **DSR revenue:** £8,200/year from battery participation in National Grid demand response - **CO2 saving:** 138 tCO2e/year
The university now reports against its 2030 net zero target with credible Scope 2 evidence. The combined PSDS programme delivers 32% Scope 2 reduction from the 2018 baseline.
Lessons learned
- University estates require building-by-building design rather than estate-wide template. The £85k pre-application investment funded design across 12 buildings — well-rewarded.
- Student hall solar requires careful landlord/tenant structuring. University-owned solar generation reducing landlord-funded electricity bills works; tenant-paid bills create complexity.
- Listed Building Consent on Victorian academic estates is achievable — conservation-sensitive panel placement (dark frame, ancillary roof slope, set back from facade) usually approved.
- Phased delivery over multiple summer windows is the only practical option for live academic estates. 18-month programmes typical for £2-5m university projects.
- DSR participation on battery storage adds £30-£80 per kWh of battery capacity per year — material on larger installations.
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