30-Panel Solar & Battery Installation Completed at The Bryce in Burneside

Glow Solar has recently completed an exciting new solar and battery storage installation at The Bryce Institute in Burneside, near Kendal, helping to give this much-loved community building a more sustainable and resilient energy supply.

Working alongside Richard Lofthouse Roofing Services Ltd, we installed a 30-panel integrated solar PV system, carefully incorporated into the building’s existing roof. The result is a substantial renewable energy system that combines solar generation with an impressive amount of battery storage — and could ultimately provide an important additional resource for the local community.

14.4kW of Solar Generation

The installation comprises 30 x 480W solar panels, giving The Bryce a total solar generation capacity of 14.4kW.

As a busy community facility hosting meetings, performances, classes, coffee mornings and a wide range of local activities, The Bryce has a varied energy demand. Generating clean electricity on-site provides an opportunity to reduce reliance on electricity from the grid while making better use of the building’s available roof space.

The panels have been installed as an integrated solar solution, working neatly with the existing roof rather than simply sitting above it. This required close coordination between the solar and roofing teams, with Richard Lofthouse Roofing Services carrying out the associated roofing work.

You can find out more about their roofing services at R.A. Lofthouse Roofing Services.

52kWh of Battery Storage

Solar generation is only part of the story, however. The system also includes a substantial 52kWh of battery storage, allowing electricity generated during the day to be stored and used when it is needed.

For a community building such as The Bryce, where activities can take place throughout the day and into the evening, this additional storage capacity can be particularly valuable. Rather than relying solely on solar generation at the moment it is produced, stored energy can help extend the usefulness of the solar installation beyond daylight hours.

The system is powered by a SigEnergy 15kW three-phase inverter, providing the control and conversion required to integrate the solar panels, battery storage and the building's electrical supply.

Backup Power When It Matters

Perhaps the most exciting element of the installation is the inclusion of a three-phase gateway, which provides backup capability in the event of a power outage.

This means the solar and battery system isn't simply about reducing electricity costs or generating renewable energy. It can also help provide greater energy resilience for The Bryce, keeping essential electrical systems operating when the grid supply is interrupted.

For a community facility, that additional resilience could prove extremely valuable in poor Lake District winter weather.

A Potential Community 'Warm Hub'

The backup capability also opens up an exciting possibility for the future: The Bryce could potentially operate as a community 'warm hub' during a power outage or other local emergency.

With energy stored in the batteries and the ability to operate independently of the grid, the building could provide a warm, powered and accessible space for local residents when they need it most.

The Bryce is already an important community facility in Burneside, hosting everything from theatrical performances and exercise classes to meetings, exhibitions and social events. This new energy system could add another important dimension to the role it plays within the village.

Solar Designed Around the Building

Projects like this demonstrate why there is no single solution when it comes to commercial and community solar installations. The right combination of panels, inverter, battery storage and backup equipment needs to be designed around the building, its electricity usage and what the customer wants the system to achieve.

At Glow Solar, we don't believe in simply selling solar panels. We design and install renewable energy systems around the individual requirements of each customer — from homes and farms to businesses and community buildings.

This latest project at The Bryce brings together 14.4kW of solar generation, 52kWh of battery storage, a 15kW three-phase inverter and backup capability, creating a system designed not only to generate clean energy but to provide greater energy independence and resilience for the community.

It's a great example of what modern solar technology can achieve — and we're delighted to have played a part in helping The Bryce prepare for a more sustainable and resilient future.