Case Study · Commercial Solar + Battery + EV Charging
Commercial Solar Installation at Briggs Amasco, Cradley Heath, West Midlands
63 kWpSystem Size
30.72 kWhBattery Storage
53,372 kWhAnnual Output
133%Energy Offset
4 × 22kWEV Chargers
4Y 10MPayback
The Opportunity: Solar Energy for Commercial & Industrial Premises
With commercial electricity prices continuing to rise, industrial businesses and large commercial premises across the West Midlands are increasingly turning to commercial solar as the most reliable way to slash energy costs and protect profit margins. Briggs Amasco — one of the UK's leading flat roofing, cladding, and waterproofing contractors — is a prime example of a forward-thinking business that understood the opportunity early.
Operating from their commercial premises at 101 Powke Lane, Cradley Heath, B64 5PX in the heart of the West Midlands, Briggs Amasco runs a large, energy-intensive site with significant daytime electricity consumption — exactly the profile that makes commercial solar such a compelling investment. With substantial roof space available and a fleet requiring on-site EV charging infrastructure, the opportunity to install a large-scale solar, battery, and EV charging system was clear.
When Briggs Amasco approached Sol4r Energy about a commercial solar installation, the goal was straightforward: generate the majority of the site's electricity on-site, protect the business from rising energy prices, and integrate EV charging to support the transition to an electric fleet — all while delivering an exceptional return on investment. The result is a flagship 63kWp commercial solar installation in Cradley Heath, West Midlands, with full battery storage and four Zappi EV chargers, demonstrating what large-scale solar can achieve for businesses across the Black Country, Birmingham, Dudley, Stourbridge and the wider West Midlands.
Before & After: The Transformation
❌ Before Sol4r Energy
- 100% reliant on grid electricity at commercial rates (~£8,000+/year)
- No on-site generation — every kWh purchased from British Gas
- No battery backup or energy storage capability
- EV fleet charging pulling entirely from the grid at peak rates
- Fully exposed to rising commercial electricity prices
- No visible sustainability credentials for clients and tenders
✅ After Sol4r Energy
- 133% energy offset — generates more electricity than the site consumes
- 68.2% grid independence with solar and battery combined
- 30.72 kWh Rahvolt battery bank maximising self-consumption
- 4 × Zappi 22kW EV chargers powered by clean solar energy
- 14 tonnes of CO₂ eliminated every year
- £476,106 net savings over 25 years — 1,005% total ROI
Solar Installation Photos – Briggs Amasco, Cradley Heath, West Midlands
105 × AIKO 600W solar panels, Growatt & Rahvolt multi-inverter setup, 30.72 kWh Rahvolt battery storage, 4 × Zappi 22kW three-phase EV chargers, and full bird protection — all installed by Sol4r Energy's in-house team at Briggs Amasco, Cradley Heath, West Midlands.
Project Overview — Commercial Solar at Briggs Amasco, Cradley Heath
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Briggs Amasco, 101 Powke Lane, Cradley Heath, B64 5PX — West Midlands |
| Property type | Commercial industrial premises — roofing & waterproofing contractor |
| Roof orientation | Dual aspect — Group 1: 67 panels SE-facing (128° azimuth, 50° from South); Group 2: 38 panels NW-facing (308° azimuth, 130° from South) |
| Roof tilt | 16° both aspects |
| Annual consumption | 40,000 kWh (commercial rate) |
| Tariff | British Gas Commercial Rate — £0.20/kWh day unit; SEG export £0.06/kWh; Standing charge £0.34/day |
| Performance calculator | System Advisor Model (SAM) 2020.02.29.r2 |
| DNO application | G100 application submitted to Western Power on behalf of Briggs Amasco |
| MCS certified | Yes — all systems registered, certificates issued on completion |
Technical Specifications — Commercial Solar, Battery & EV Charging System
This is one of Sol4r Energy's most comprehensive commercial installations — combining high-wattage AIKO solar panels, a multi-inverter three-phase setup, substantial battery storage, and a full fleet EV charging solution into a single integrated system. Every component was selected for compatibility, commercial reliability, and long-term performance:
| Component | Product | Specification |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Panels | 105 × AIKO 600W | AIKO-A600-MAH72Dw · 63.0 kWp total · 30-year product & performance warranty |
| Inverter 1 | Rahvolt RV12kH-T2 | 12 kW three-phase hybrid inverter · 15-year warranty |
| Inverter 2 | Growatt MAC 20KTL3-XL | 20 kW three-phase string inverter · commercial grade · 15-year warranty |
| Inverter 3 | Growatt 33000TL3-S | 33 kW three-phase string inverter · commercial grade · 15-year warranty |
| Battery Storage | 6 × Rahvolt RV-LB 5K | 30.72 kWh total storage · 27.64 kWh usable · LiFePO4 chemistry |
| EV Chargers | 4 × myenergi Zappi 22kW | ZAPPI-222UB · 22kW, 400V AC three-phase · untethered · ECO, ECO+ & FAST modes · 32A rated |
| Smart Meter | Fronius 63A Smart Meter | 63A single-phase bidirectional power meter · full consumption monitoring |
| DC Isolator | ZJBENY BYH-32 | 1000V 32A 4-pole DC isolator · IP66 · UV resistant |
| Bird Protection | Full perimeter mesh | Installed across all panels — prevents nesting and protects long-term performance |
| Cabling | 6/10mm cable run | Higher current-rated cabling for commercial system · up to 50m runs included |
The multi-inverter configuration — combining a Rahvolt hybrid unit with two Growatt commercial string inverters — ensures the entire 63kWp array is optimally harvested across both roof aspects, while the Rahvolt battery system integrates seamlessly for maximum self-consumption. The four Zappi chargers run in ECO+ mode, intelligently diverting surplus solar generation directly to vehicle charging before it reaches the grid — a critical feature for a commercial fleet operation.
Energy Performance & Grid Independence
| Performance Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Total installed capacity | 63.0 kWp |
| Annual solar generation | 53,372 kWh |
| Annual site consumption | 40,000 kWh |
| Annual consumption offset | 133% — system generates more than the site uses |
| kWh/kWp yield | 853.7 kWh/kWp |
| Shade factor | 0.992 — minimal shading losses |
| Self-sufficiency — solar only | 57.1% |
| Self-sufficiency — solar + battery | 68.2% |
| Expected self-consumption (with battery) | 39,991 kWh/year |
| Total battery energy discharged per year | 20,183 kWh |
| Additional EV self-consumption | 37.78 kWh — fleet charging from solar |
With 53,372 kWh of annual solar generation against 40,000 kWh of site consumption, Briggs Amasco's system produces 133% of what the site needs — turning the business into a net energy generator for much of the year. The 30.72 kWh Rahvolt battery bank pushes grid independence from 57.1% (solar only) up to 68.2%, while the Zappi EV chargers in ECO+ mode ensure surplus solar is intelligently routed to fleet vehicles before anything reaches the export meter. For businesses across Cradley Heath, Dudley, Stourbridge, Halesowen, Birmingham and the wider West Midlands considering commercial solar, the Briggs Amasco installation demonstrates the transformational impact a well-designed large-scale system can deliver.
Monthly Savings Breakdown — Year 1
From February through October, Briggs Amasco's solar system generates enough electricity to dramatically reduce or eliminate the site's electricity bill — and from spring to late summer, the bill goes negative, with the grid crediting the business via the Smart Export Guarantee:
| Month | Solar Gen | Imported | Exported | Export Credit | Old Bill | New Bill | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1,037 kWh | 98 kWh | 298 kWh | £18 | £810 | £12 | £797 |
| February | 1,935 kWh | 65 kWh | 439 kWh | £26 | £790 | −£4 | £793 ✦ |
| March | 3,940 kWh | 33 kWh | 528 kWh | £32 | £786 | −£15 | £800 ✦ |
| April | 5,939 kWh | 12 kWh | 1,303 kWh | £78 | £670 | −£66 | £735 ✦ |
| May | 7,641 kWh | 3 kWh | 2,169 kWh | £130 | £598 | −£119 | £717 ✦ |
| June | 8,167 kWh | 2 kWh | 2,470 kWh | £148 | £568 | −£138 | £706 ✦ |
| July | 8,242 kWh | 1 kWh | 2,538 kWh | £152 | £551 | −£141 | £692 ✦ |
| August | 6,841 kWh | 2 kWh | 1,933 kWh | £116 | £540 | −£105 | £645 ✦ |
| September | 4,618 kWh | 10 kWh | 894 kWh | £54 | £592 | −£41 | £634 ✦ |
| October | 2,770 kWh | 37 kWh | 290 kWh | £17 | £660 | £0 | £660 |
| November | 1,383 kWh | 88 kWh | 267 kWh | £16 | £751 | £12 | £739 |
| December | 859 kWh | 126 kWh | 253 kWh | £15 | £809 | £21 | £788 |
| ANNUAL TOTAL | 53,372 kWh | 477 kWh | 13,182 kWh | £802 | £8,125 | −£717 | £8,840 saved |
✦ Negative bill = the site is being credited by the grid via the Smart Export Guarantee. Projections assume 7% annual energy price increase. Based on British Gas Commercial Rate at £0.20/kWh and SEG export at £0.06/kWh.
Financial Returns — Commercial Solar Investment
£8,840Year 1 Bill Savings
4Y 10MPayback Period
£523,469Lifetime Bill Savings
£476,106Net 25-Year Savings
1,005%Total ROI
24.7%Annual Rate of Return
With energy prices projected to rise 7% annually, the Briggs Amasco commercial solar system pays for itself in under five years and delivers £476,106 in net savings over 25 years — a 1,005% total return on investment at a 24.7% annual rate of return. Year one savings of £8,840 are driven by a combination of dramatically reduced grid imports, SEG export income, and solar-powered EV fleet charging that displaces expensive grid electricity. For commercial businesses in Cradley Heath, Dudley, Stourbridge, Halesowen, Birmingham and across the West Midlands, commercial solar with battery storage represents an unrivalled capital investment. Book a free commercial site survey to find out what solar could deliver for your business.
Battery & EV Integration: Why the Full System Makes the Difference
Solar + Battery + EV Charging: The Complete Commercial Energy Solution
The Rahvolt battery and Zappi EV chargers don't just add value to the solar installation — they transform the economics of the entire system, turning Briggs Amasco's roof into a complete commercial energy hub.
68.2% Grid Independence
Without batteries, 57.1% of the site's electricity comes from solar. The 30.72 kWh Rahvolt bank raises this to 68.2% — and when combined with Zappi ECO+ mode, surplus solar powers the fleet before a single unit reaches the export meter.
Solar-Powered Fleet Charging
Four Zappi 22kW three-phase chargers in ECO+ mode intelligently divert excess solar directly to fleet vehicles. This eliminates the cost of charging from the grid — turning the company's solar roof into its own petrol station, but free.
Multi-Inverter Optimisation
Three inverters — a Rahvolt hybrid plus two Growatt commercial units — harvest the full output of both roof aspects simultaneously. No generation is lost to inverter bottlenecks, and the hybrid unit controls battery charge and discharge intelligently throughout the day.
Daytime Commercial Load Coverage
Commercial premises like Briggs Amasco consume most of their electricity during business hours — precisely when solar generation peaks. The system covers the majority of the daytime operational load directly from the roof, with the battery handling demand that solar alone cannot meet.
SEG Export Income
With generation exceeding consumption by 133%, Briggs Amasco exports thousands of kWh annually via the Smart Export Guarantee — generating additional income from electricity that would otherwise be wasted. Year one export credit totals £802.
Compounding Savings Over Time
With commercial energy prices rising 7% per year, Briggs Amasco's savings grow every year. By 2030, annual savings will exceed £11,000. By 2035, over £15,000. The earlier the investment, the more powerful the compounding effect.
Environmental Impact
14 tonnesCO₂ saved per year
2,610 treesEquivalent over lifetime
405,925 kmCar distance avoided (lifetime)
291 flightsLong-haul avoided
At 14 tonnes of CO₂ eliminated per year, Briggs Amasco's installation is one of the most impactful commercial solar deployments Sol4r Energy has completed in the West Midlands. The AIKO 600W panels — among the highest-efficiency commercial modules available in the UK — combined with dual-aspect roof coverage across 105 panels ensure the system generates clean electricity from dawn to dusk, twelve months of the year. Over the system's 25-year lifetime, the environmental benefit is equivalent to planting 2,610 trees. For commercial businesses in Cradley Heath, Dudley, Stourbridge, Halesowen, Birmingham and the wider Black Country region looking to reduce their Scope 2 carbon emissions, commercial solar delivers both environmental and financial returns simultaneously.
Why Briggs Amasco Chose Sol4r Energy
🏆 MCS-Certified, Award-Winning
UK Enterprise Award winner and MCS-certified (registration NAP-68781) — the certification required for the Smart Export Guarantee and all manufacturer warranties. Sol4r Energy has extensive experience with large commercial and industrial installations across the West Midlands and UK-wide.
🔬 Professional SAM Modelling
Sol4r Energy used industry-standard SAM 2020.02.29.r2 software to model both roof aspects before any equipment was specified — ensuring the multi-inverter configuration and panel layout were fully optimised for the site's dual-orientation roof geometry.
📋 Complete End-to-End Service
From free commercial survey to G100 DNO application, three-phase wiring, multi-inverter commissioning, EV charger installation, MCS certification, SEG setup, energy monitoring, and 10-year maintenance plan — Sol4r Energy managed every aspect in-house.
Certifications & Warranties Included
MCS Commissioning Certificate (NAP-68781)
30-Year AIKO Panel Product Warranty
HIES 10-Year Consumer Protection Warranty
30-Year Panel Performance Warranty
NAPIT Building Regulation Certificate
15-Year Inverter Warranty
Electrical Safety Certificate
10-Year Annual Maintenance Plan
10-Year Workmanship Warranty
DNO G100 Application & Grid Registration
All certifications issued on completion. Sol4r Energy is HIES-registered, NAPIT-approved, TrustMark-endorsed, and ISO 9001:2015 certified — the highest level of consumer and commercial protection for solar installations in the UK.
Solar PV Finance
Finance option available through Phoenix Financial Consultants Limited.
All finance applications are subject to status and approval by Phoenix Financial Consultants Limited. Sol4r Energy Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative (Financial Services Register No. 1005252) of Phoenix Financial Consultants Limited (FRN: 539195), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Phoenix Financial Consultants Limited is a credit broker, not a lender.
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