In 2020 and 2021 LHW have been investigating a number of PV farms at Southwick in Wiltshire, and Ardleigh in Essex, Falmouth in Cornwall, and a number of other locations, to determine reasons for possible performance anomalies. Conclusive evidence was found by field testing avoiding need for expensive mobile laboratory or Test Lab review.

In a UK (and very likely geographically wider) first, LHW undertook a full toolbox of field testing to successfully get to the root cause of an underperforming PV system. The testing included Electrcroluminescence, Photoluminescence, UV Fluorescence, IV Curve, IR Thermography, Module Shunt resistance and  Module string series resistance testing.   This full service approach requires a suite of good test equipment and associated operational and analytical competence, but is the only approach to provide the appropriate technical service level to provide the confidence to identify the issue.

LHW has been appointed to update and harmonise the document published by the Fire Protection Association and RISC Authority - "RC62 Recommendations for fire safety with photovoltaic panel installations" 

As probably one of the more focused field specialist engineering organisation in UK with focus on engineerng grade forensic review of asset, LHW have been busy again undertaking inspection and testng on PV farms  and roof top sytems. The image aboe is a 15MWp installation near Reading. 

LHW has undertaken multiple models of 18 sites for a large energy user both  South & East West facing at various pitched both including  and without battery storage to maximise on site consumption of generated electricity to determine optimal PV system sizing.

Working with a local authority and CLS Energy. LHW successfully undertook the modelling to successfully secure £2m grant funding for a 200 kWe GSHP, 400 kWh battery & 500kWp PV array to provide renewable energy to a sports and leisure centre eliminating nearly all the gas demand.