Electrical Infrastructure & Grid Works

Southern Projects provides comprehensive electrical infrastructure services for commercial solar installations, handling everything from low voltage upgrades to grid connection management. Our electrical teams work closely with Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to ensure compliant connections and reliable power export across all system sizes.

Commercial solar installations often require substantial electrical infrastructure modifications to handle the power generation and export requirements:

• Assessment and upgrade of existing LV distribution boards and cabling
• Installation of new consumer units and protection devices sized for solar generation
• Cable route planning and installation from arrays to grid connection points
• Earth bonding and surge protection systems for PV installations
• Integration with existing building electrical systems and emergency supplies

Professional switchgear installation ensures safe isolation and protection for both generation and consumption circuits:

• AC and DC isolator switches positioned for safe maintenance access
• Generation meters and export limitation devices where required
• Protection relays and anti-islanding systems for grid-tied installations
• Remote switching capabilities for larger commercial installations
• Compliance with G99 grid connection requirements for systems over 16A per phase

Managing the grid connection process requires detailed coordination with Distribution Network Operators and adherence to specific technical requirements.

• G98 and G99 application preparation and submission
• Technical design documentation and single line diagrams
• Power quality assessments and fault level calculations
• Coordination of DNO site visits and witness testing
• Management of any required network reinforcement works

Many commercial installations require sophisticated export control to prevent grid export or manage power flows:

• Export limitation devices calibrated to agreed connection capacity
• Smart metering systems for generation, consumption and export monitoring
• Integration with battery storage systems for optimised power management
• Remote monitoring capabilities for performance tracking and fault detection

All electrical infrastructure work meets current regulations and industry standards for commercial solar installations.

• BS 7909 code of practice for temporary electrical systems during construction
• IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) for permanent electrical installations
• MCS standards for renewable energy installations where applicable
• Building Regulations compliance for new electrical infrastructure

• Electrical installation condition reports and safety testing
• Insulation resistance and earth fault loop impedance testing
• Protection device calibration and anti-islanding verification
• Performance testing of generation and export monitoring systems
• Handover documentation including operation and maintenance manuals