Strategic renewable energy consultancy calls on property asset managers to prioritise the performance and safety of their commercial solar PV assets to boost profitability Landlords and property asset managers should pay closer attention to the operations and maintenance of the solar systems installed on their buildings otherwise they risk devaluing their asset and also missing out on potentially lucrative returns, according to Longevity Power, the independent strategic renewable energy consultancy. As the global solar market continues to grow, the losses from underperforming solar assets grow with it. 2024 research by RaptorMaps, the solar asset management company, found that worldwide, underperforming solar PV systems are estimated to have led to USD$4.6 billion in preventable losses in 2023. Anthony Maguire, Managing Director at Longevity Power, explained, “A commercial solar PV system is an investment that needs to be properly maintained and monitored in order to deliver a reliable ongoing return for the owner. Real estate investors who install solar PV systems on their properties often rely on the installer to oversee the operations and maintenance of their new asset. This approach may seem easier, however installers are often not well placed to provide a sufficiently high quality of service”. Correctly maintaining and optimising a solar PV system can be challenging without the right expertise. Maguire makes the point that the potential revenue missed can quickly add up without owners realising or taking any steps to rectify it. “Without properly tracking performance, there is no recourse for the asset owner to trigger performance damages or remediation work for which the installer may be contractually liable” said Maguire. “In reality, companies that install systems are often not well equipped to carry out maintenance and monitor performance because they lack both the dedicated in-house expertise and the appropriate platform, often relying upon the free portal provided by the inverter manufacturer.” Maguire continued, “At a basic level, failing to monitor your asset can be a significant fire safety risk but further to this, it can have a big impact on projects return on investment.” “For example, there is a very real possibility that the asset owner might be receiving an export tariff for the energy generated from their building’s solar system that is below market rate.By tendering this regularly you can secure a higher rate. And in markets where there are negative export prices during periods of peak generation, systems that are not managed in a dynamic, smart way will actually incur a cost. “Poor solar PV maintenance and management also causes problems further down the line when the time comes to sell a property. We are increasingly seeing prospective buyers pull out of sales where onsite solar PV systems are lacking a data bank of historical performance data and as-built specification documentation. “Missed revenue opportunities can quickly add up too, including the potential for the co-location of battery storage. By continually evaluating the consumption pattern of the building, owners can identify opportunities to install batteries for the storage of surplus electricity rather than exporting it back to the grid. Investing in on-site battery storage becomes financially sensible and delivers significant cost savings as both the consumption pattern of the asset and the market price of consumed electricity and surplus generation inevitably change over time. Maguire identified the following important steps for asset managers and property owners to follow to ensure poor performance doesn’t eat into potential returns. “Fundamentally owners need to be smart about how they manage these assets. To get the best out of an asset, owners need to remotely monitor their system on a platform that is able to collate a wide variey of data points to ensure that it is performing in line with expectations,” he said. “This way, the platform can conclusively determine whether there is a safety fault that merits further investigation, or based on the cost of cleaning and the forecasted drop off in performance, whether it is worthwhile having the panels cleaned.” “Without careful operation, maintenance and management of their solar PV systems, asset owners are not only compromising the safety of their tenants and their buildings, but also leaving money on the table and delaying a worthwhile return on their investment.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

With rising pressure to meet sustainability targets, renewable energy consultancy warns asset managers of the risks of third-party solar deals. Commercial landlords and property managers under pressure to meet sustainability targets are increasingly turning to third party leases that are sold as attractive alternatives for landlords or tenants who don’t have the capital to invest in rooftop solar themselves. But according to Anthony Maguire, Managing Director at Longevity Power, these deals often aren’t as lucrative as they seem, with many landowners overlooking the potential associated risks. Third party solar PV agreements involve the provision of a building roof for a solar PV system that is owned by a third party and leased to an asset manager over a set period (typically 20-30 years). “Tenant demand, a pressing need to reduce emissions, and an increasing lack of grid capacity means that landlords are turning to third-party owned solar PV systems without necessarily knowing what they are signing up to,” said Maguire. “As a result, landlords and tenants become trapped in lengthy and expensive contracts that are even more costly and time-consuming to get out of.” The recent European Renewables Market Overview Report further highlights the impact of market saturation and grid congestion as hinderances to greater renewable adoption and meeting established sustainability targets. Maguire points to the apparent convenience of the deals as a key reason that so many are turning to them. “Property managers and landlords typically turn to these types of deals for two reasons,” he explained. “First, an unwillingness to part with the capital due to a sense that they are unlikely to make a good return on investment over the hold period of the asset: second, in some markets, the tax implications associated with a commercial landlord selling electricity preclude them from installing solar.” “Despite having the best of intentions, asset managers find themselves in contracts that can last more than 20 years and include complex and unclear commercial terms. “These contracts can often be hugely damaging long-term as they will likely stipulate that the landlord must pay for any loss of income in the event that the system needs to be switched off or disrupted for any period longer than a few days. “If an entire rooftop has to be replaced, this means potentially compensating the third-party for loss of revenue for several months, which depending on the system size, could run into the hundreds of thousands. “Withdrawing from a lengthy solar contract is also a famously tall order. Long leases mean landlords often face extremely high buy-out costs, and if an asset needs to be sold, they can lead to a host of added legal costs.  “Signing up to terms without fully understanding the consequences can cause major headaches long-term. This is why it’s vital that asset managers take the time to rigorously analyse the potential financial implications before signing on the dotted line.” Maguire contends that third party deals aren’t inherently bad but are instead largely misunderstood and can leave some asset managers trapped on a long-term basis.  “Solar leases can be the right solution but it’s important to understand the characteristics of the system, the fund, the market and the tenant when determining whether it works for you. “If you find yourself in a bad deal you need to review your terms now. Carefully look over the lease to understand your potential financial liability and understand the costs payable at contract-end. It’s crucial that landlords perform a proper tender and rigorously assess the proposed terms of the lease. “Some contracts have a residual value of zero at the end of the contract whereas others must be bought at fair market value and others might include a renewal obligation. Understand who is liable for the removal of the panels and making good the roof at the end of the contract.” “The alternative for anyone considering solar PV is the option of investing in a rooftop PV system directly. Owning the system means enjoying the full financial benefits and also having the flexibility to develop the system and surrounding areas over the coming years.  “The landlord also has a greater degree of certainty over the costs associated with future roof works and essential maintenance, and doesn’t have potentially large financial liabilities in the event of a vacancy or a roof replacement. In any case, it’s crucial that landlords have a clear understanding of the long-term implications of undertaking any kind of solar PV installation.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), through its flagship CI IV fund, has taken a major step in its commitment to renewable energy by approving the construction of two additional Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects in Scotland. These developments mark a turning point for the UK’s energy infrastructure, with CIP solidifying its position as the nation’s leading investor in battery storage solutions. Scotland to Host Europe’s Largest Battery Projects The two projects, Coalburn 2 in South Lanarkshire and Devilla in Fife, are poised to become Europe’s largest battery storage facilities. Each site boasts an impressive 500MW capacity. Once operational, they will collectively deliver a staggering 1.5GW of power and store up to 3GWh of electricity, enough to meet the energy demands of over 4.5 million households for a two-hour period. These projects, representing a combined investment of £800 million, will expand CIP’s UK BESS construction portfolio to three sites, including the already underway Coalburn 1 project. This milestone further cements CIP’s reputation as a trailblazer in renewable energy and battery storage solutions. Transforming Energy Security and Sustainability The Coalburn and Devilla projects are more than just engineering feats; they are critical components of the UK’s transition to a clean power system by 2030. By enhancing energy security, enabling flexibility in the grid, and accelerating the deployment of low-cost renewables, these facilities align perfectly with Scotland’s and the UK’s ambitious net-zero goals. Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, underscored the significance of these projects:“The construction of Europe’s largest battery systems in South Lanarkshire and Fife is a major step forward for Scotland’s energy transition. These well-placed storage systems will ensure reliable power for homes and businesses, moving us closer to a net-zero future and directly supporting local communities. Scotland remains open for investment in transformative energy technologies.” A Partnership for Progress CIP’s success in delivering these groundbreaking projects is built on strong partnerships. The company’s collaboration with Alcemi, a large-scale BESS developer, began in February 2022 and has since flourished. Together, they are creating a robust portfolio of UK-wide battery storage projects aimed at delivering a clean power system by 2030. Nischal Agarwal, Partner at CIP, highlighted the importance of these initiatives:“Our investments in Scottish battery energy storage underline our commitment to a vibrant renewable sector in the UK. Projects like Coalburn and Devilla are essential for enhancing energy security, providing grid flexibility, and supporting the deployment of renewable energy faster and more efficiently.” Key partnerships with technology and engineering providers like e-STORAGE, H&MV Engineering, OCU Group, and Wood Group are ensuring these projects are delivered to the highest standards. e-STORAGE, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar, will supply cutting-edge battery technology for all three projects, delivering 2GWh of storage capacity to the Coalburn 2 and Devilla sites. A Vote of Confidence in the UK’s Green Economy Baroness Gustafsson, UK Minister for Investment, praised the £800 million commitment as a testament to the UK’s attractiveness for green investment:“This landmark investment not only strengthens our mission to become a clean energy superpower but also ensures affordable, reliable renewable energy for millions of people across the UK. Energy is a key sector in our upcoming Industrial Strategy, and investments like this set the stage for long-term growth.” The Road Ahead As CIP continues to lead the charge in renewable energy, its transformative projects are laying the groundwork for a sustainable energy future. The Coalburn 2 and Devilla developments represent more than just milestones in battery storage; they embody a vision for an energy-secure, low-carbon world. With Scotland at the heart of these efforts, and with strong governmental and private sector backing, the UK is well on its way to becoming a global leader in clean energy innovation. CIP’s commitment to building better and building greener signals a brighter, more sustainable future for all. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Thirteen organisations across England, Wales and Scotland are set to share nearly £5m in funding through the initial round of The Crown Estate’s innovative Supply Chain Accelerator (“the Accelerator”). This funding will help kick-start projects drawing down from a £50m fund established in May to accelerate and de-risk the early-stage development of UK supply chain projects that service the offshore wind sector. The Crown Estate’s match funding will contribute to a combined development investment of over £9m which, if the opportunities successfully conclude their respective development stages, could lead to more than £400m of capital investment. Projects receiving funding include those enabling floating wind platforms, anchoring and mooring systems, operations and maintenance facilities, test facilities, and those supporting the skills transition. In early 2024, The Crown Estate published the Celtic Sea Blueprint which predicted that 5,300 jobs and a £1.4bn economic boost could be generated through deploying the first floating offshore wind capacity, resulting from the current Leasing Round 5 process, in the waters off South Wales and South-West England. The research highlighted a number of opportunities for supply chain development essential for the deployment of these floating wind farms, including: floating platform components; dynamic cables and connections; wet storage infrastructure and facilities; operations and management infrastructure and facilities; and skills transition facilities. Successful projects were rigorously evaluated and selected based on a number of criteria, one of which was their ability to deliver on the requirements of the Celtic Sea Blueprint. This was the initial round of funding allocated by The Crown Estate to address some of these opportunities with a further £45m earmarked for future rounds that could potentially be deployed to support further projects around the UK that meet the opportunities identified by the Industrial Growth Plan (IGP) for the offshore wind sector. The Crown Estate’s role is to create long-term value for the country, and it focuses on using the land and seabed it manages to help catalyse net zero, restore nature, create thriving communities and drive economic growth. Helping to develop the offshore wind industry’s domestic supply chain through collaboration with industry and government partners forms a vital component of these ambitions. The UK is already a global leader in offshore wind, and the pipeline grew by 10GW in 2023 to 93GW, with the sector producing 49TWh of electricity last year, according to The Crown Estate’s most recent UK Offshore Wind Report. This announcement comes as the UK Government continues to set out details of Great British Energy, including a new partnership with The Crown Estate to support the accelerated delivery of clean energy infrastructure, benefiting millions of homes and businesses across the country. Ben Brinded, Head of Investment at The Crown Estate, said: “This is a significant moment for The Crown Estate as our first funding into the UK’s offshore wind supply chain, and I would like to congratulate the 13 organisations on their success. “As outlined by the Government’s emerging Industrial Strategy, in order for the UK to realise the economic benefits from the clean energy sector – and from offshore wind in particular – it is vital that there are mature, investable propositions which crowd in investments from both public and private capital. “The Supply Chain Accelerator forms part of an active dialogue that we’re having with the Offshore Wind sector and with key stakeholders such as Great British Energy and others to identify and explore opportunities for TCE to make commercial and sustainable investments into the UK offshore wind supply chain.” Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “Our clean power mission brings with it huge potential to expand our supply chains, creating skilled jobs and growth across the country. “This investment from The Crown Estate will support 13 firms up and down Great Britain and use their manufacturing expertise to help us lead the way in developing innovative floating offshore wind technology. “Great British Energy will build on this innovation by working with The Crown Estate to accelerate offshore wind projects, helping to protect homes and businesses from unstable fossil fuel markets.” Juergen Maier CBE, Chair of Great British Energy, said:“Creating good manufacturing jobs is at the heart of our plans to expand the UK’s clean power production – and this investment will help to do just that. “Together with organisations like The Crown Estate, Great British Energy will pave the way for strong domestic supply chains and unlock investment in vital clean energy infrastructure across the UK.” For more information on the Supply Chain Accelerator, please visit: Supply Chain Accelerator Fund | The Crown Estate List of organisations to receive funding through The Crown Estate’s Supply Chain Accelerator: Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

As the global wind industry prepares for GWEC’s Wind Energy Summit in South Korea later this week, Principle Power and Shoreline Wind demonstrate how Floating Offshore Wind (FOW) has moved forward as a result of its almost ten-year partnership and collaboration, ready for FOW developers to take advantage of the opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region and globally. The Global Wind Energy Council expects the Asian offshore market to have installed nearly 100 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, of which the floating category will be a substantial percentage. FOW enables harvesting the strongest wind resources closest to demand centers in the Asia-Pacific region, presenting an opportunity for countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines. The predicted growth of FOW in places like Asia-Pacific is, to a large degree, enabled by the proven experience gained through the deployment of floating wind projects in Europe, where Principle Power has 75 MW operating and another 30 MW under construction. Principle Power has pioneered the development of floating wind technology since 2007. In 2016, Principle Power selected Shoreline’s simulation solutions, recognizing that planning commercial scale wind farms requires the ability to accurately represent the many inherent complexities and dependencies that go into the logistics to build and operate projects in different geographies. Principle Power was already equipped with five years of operational data from the first pilot project WindFloat 1 off the coast of Portugal, as well as the processes and method statements for projects like WindFloat Atlantic. Shoreline brought its expertise acquired from providing advanced simulations for traditional (fixed) offshore wind from around the world and had already developed a solution (Shoreline Design) that could simulate the design, construction and ongoing operations and maintenance of offshore wind projects. Together, Shoreline and Principle Power collaborated to extend Shoreline’s Construction DesignTM and Operations DesignTM software to be able to realistically simulate the operations required to deliver utility-scale floating wind projects.   Principle Power uses Shoreline’s simulations, in combination with internal databases, to help developers plan operations for many different projects across the world, including the 30 MW Fukushima Forward project in Japan, the 1.2 GW Korea Floating Wind project in Korea, and several projects in Taiwan.  The analysis and simulation of each project helped to identify requirements and bottlenecks for robust planning and are used to optimize costs and performance. They can also stress test project execution plans to understand the potential impact of sensitivity scenarios and mitigating contingency plans. The results, which are based on real-world experience, help to build confidence in scaling up floating offshore wind projects to commercial scale in new markets around the world. Michael Bjerrum, Co-founder and COO at Shoreline said: “There are many features in Shoreline’s product today, dedicated to FOW, which have come because of input from users like Principle Power, and other such pioneers. The dependencies for FOW are unique and very different to traditional fixed offshore wind projects. For example, project developers are faced with the decision about whether to perform wind turbine major component repairs in-situ or by towing platforms to a local port.  The appropriate type of intervention depends on the component to be exchanged and trade-offs such as weather sensitivity, port availability, vessel and crane mobilization times, etc. need to be analysed to characterize the costs and risks. Our software delivers the requirements specified by companies like Principle Power for simulating floating wind projects, giving us a competitive edge and helping us to support the industry advance more confidently to commercial scale.” Inês Serras Pereira, LCoE and Business Intelligence Lead at Principle Power said: “Combining our real-world data from deployment and operations of floating offshore wind projects with Shoreline’s advanced simulation technology, helps us deliver feasible execution and O&M planning to our clients. By accounting for the complex interdependencies between quayside and offshore operations, and considering the inherent variability of weather offshore, we ensure that we provide best case schedules for commercial-scale projects that are deliverable. This provides an excellent starting point for optimization and contingency planning, helping our clients to prioritize the most cost and revenue effective approaches throughout the lifetime of wind projects.” Ocean Winds contracted Shoreline Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) solution (CMMS) for its deployment at WindFloat Atlantic, where Principle Power is providing platform inspection, maintenance, and repair services. Thanks to its contract through WindFloat Atlantic, Shoreline and Principle Power will continue to collaborate to make sure that the simulation capabilities keep pace with the many developments in floating offshore wind such as the in-situ repair that was recently completed at Kincardine. FOW developers across the world should look to adopt the wealth of expertise gained from pioneering projects already operational across Europe. Real-world experiences from partners, combined with bespoke FOW simulation technologies, are instrumental to unlock the full potential of the GWs of deepwater wind resources that are necessary for APAC nations to meet global renewable energy targets. [1] Report published October 2024, entitled – Floating Wind: Anchoring the next Generation Offshore. Offshore Wind industry is expected to reach £1 Trillion / $1.2 Trillion by 2050 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Solivus, a leading UK provider of lightweight solar installations for commercial applications, has designed and delivered a £2m solar installation to Farnborough Airport, taking it one step closer to its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2030. Located in Farnborough, Hampshire, Farnborough Airport is the home of British aviation and widely recognised as Europe’s leading airport for premium travel connectivity. In its ongoing efforts to be a sustainability showcase for other airports around the world, it has a clear strategy in place to reach net zero by 2030, well ahead of the industry standard.  As part of this, Farnborough Airport sought to reduce electricity and gas usage and invest in onsite renewable production. However, the path to self-generation proved less than straightforward. Foremost, due to operational and environmental restrictions on land use, the installation of ground-mounted solar at scale was not possible making rooftop solar the only option. At the same time, the iconic architectural curves of the airport building were not conducive to fitting traditional rigid solar panels while – in common with 40% of commercial buildings like aircraft hangars, the rooftops were unable to support the associated weight. The solution to overcoming these challenges and installing the desired solar was provided through partnering with lightweight solar technology pioneers, Solivus. Offering a competitive performance without the bulk, Solivus’ lightweight solar solution provides a practical, efficient, and cost-effective option for commercial rooftops, allowing large premises to harness solar energy while minimising structural concerns and installation complexities. Furthermore, Solivus’ lightweight solar solution can be used on a wide variety of roof surfaces, and is typically installed with no penetration of the roof itself and has much lower glare characteristics compared to conventional solar panels. Now complete, the installation, which commenced works in January 2024, has seen over 4,000 lightweight solar panels installed on hangars one and two, the terminal, the control tower, and the Airport’s award-winning 169-room hotel, the Aviator Hampshire.  Constituting one of the largest rooftop solar installations in the region, the works will enable up to 25% of the airport’s annual electricity needs to be met, as well as enabling its growing operational fleet of electric vehicles to be charged using self-generated electricity. With approximately 75% of solar energy generated to be used on-site, the remaining 25% will be sold back to the energy supplier, thus making the financial case for solar even more attractive. In total, the installation will deliver over 1,700 kWp of installed capacity, generating over 1.2 GWh of clean energy every year while taking Farnborough Airport a major leap forward in its bold target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. The PV installation is expected to generate over 36 GWh of energy in its lifetime and offset more than 5,000 tonnes of CO2e in that time.  Importantly, the project, which was planned, delivered and executed as a complete solution by Solivus, was meticulously phased to minimise disruption for the busy airport.  Safety was accounted for too. Working closely with the National Air Traffic Services, Solivus’ design was purposefully constructed to minimise any glint and glare. This included a comprehensive feasibility study, testing factors such as generation potential and shading to determine the optimal placement of panels. Farnborough Airport’s ambitions for renewables are expressed by the Group’s CEO, Simon Geere: “In line with our ambition to become a sustainability showcase for airports around the world, we’re proud to have partnered with lightweight solar technology pioneers, Solivus, to install one of the largest rooftop solar projects in the region. The lightweight solar installation is a significant step towards achieving our sustainability objectives, significantly reducing our controllable emissions, as set out in our Net Zero Roadmap, in which we have committed to be Net Zero by 2030 or sooner.” Interestingly, the solar installation aligns with a recent government bill, which encourages the extensive deployment of rooftop solar on domestic industrial and commercial property to make effective use of available surfaces as a priority. Solivus CEO, Jo Parker-Swift says: “Rooftop solar is crucial for decarbonising the built environment, but its application has often been constrained by the structural limitations of many commercial buildings. Put simply, traditional solar panels are too heavy for many rooftops. Our lightweight solar innovation addresses this issue, enabling large-scale, cost-effective solar deployment across nearly all large commercial buildings and sites. “We are proud to have worked with Farnborough Airport to ensure the future supply of renewable energy, supporting the airport’s progressive net zero emissions journey. We encourage other airports to seize the opportunity to benefit from our lightweight solar energy installations and advance their own sustainability initiatives. For further information please visit: https://www.solivus.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals