About This Project
Auchernack House in Forres is being equipped with a state-of-the-art solar photovoltaic and battery storage system, designed and installed by AES Renewables — a local Forres-based MCS-certified renewable energy company with decades of experience in solar PV, battery storage, and heat pump installations across the Highlands.
This installation will dramatically reduce Auchernack House's dependence on grid electricity, cutting energy costs and carbon emissions while demonstrating that heritage and listed buildings in Scotland can lead the way in practical renewable energy adoption. With 27.45 kWp of generation capacity and 30 kWh of battery storage, the system is designed to provide the majority of the building's electrical needs from clean, locally generated power.
System Specification
Solar PV Array — 27.45 kWp
The solar array consists of 61 high-efficiency solar PV modules connected to a single 25kW SolarEdge three-phase inverter. SolarEdge's DC-optimised architecture means each panel operates independently, maximising generation even when portions of the array are partially shaded — ideal for the complex roofline of a historic building like Auchernack House.
- Array capacity: 27.45 kWp
- Modules: 61 × solar PV modules
- Inverter: 1 × 25kW SolarEdge three-phase Solar PV Inverter
- Mounting system: Renusol East-West racking system with Renusol On Roof Hooks
- Installer: AES Renewables, Forres (MCS Code: NAP16989)
Battery Storage — 30 kWh
Six SolarEdge Stackable 5kWh three-phase batteries provide 30 kWh of usable storage — enough to power the building through the evening and into the following morning on a good generation day. The battery system integrates directly with the SolarEdge inverter for seamless automatic switching between solar generation, stored energy, and grid supply.
- Total capacity: 30 kWh
- Units: 6 × SolarEdge Stackable 5kWh (3PH) Battery
- Integration: Native SolarEdge ecosystem — single monitoring platform for PV and battery
What's Included
The AES Renewables quotation (Ref: AES2203599, Quote No. 5669, dated 02/02/2026) covers full turnkey supply and installation:
- Design and installation of solar array and battery system
- All cabling, cable flashing, MC4 connectors, battery connectors and fusing
- Generation meter and storage metering
- Testing, commissioning and sign-off
- DNO (Distribution Network Operator) application and grid connection paperwork
- MCS registration of the installation
- Workmanship guarantee: 2 years from installation date
Environmental Impact
A 27.45 kWp solar PV system in the Moray area is expected to generate approximately 23,000–25,000 kWh of clean electricity per year — equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of around 8 average UK homes. Combined with 30 kWh of battery storage, the system will allow Auchernack House to operate largely independently of the grid during daylight hours and into the evening.
| Metric | Estimated Value |
|---|
| Annual generation | ~24,000 kWh/year |
| CO₂ avoided (at UK grid average) | ~4.8 tonnes/year |
| Battery storage capacity | 30 kWh |
| System lifetime | 25+ years |
| Payback period (estimated) | 8–12 years |
Installation Costs
The full supply and installation cost, as quoted by AES Renewables (February 2026), is:
| Component | Net Cost |
|---|
| 27.45 kWp Solar PV Kit (61 panels + 25kW SolarEdge inverter, Renusol mounting, installation) | £25,327.37 |
| 30 kWh Battery Storage (6 × SolarEdge 5kWh stackable batteries, installation) | £16,214.04 |
| Sub Total | £41,541.41 |
|---|
| VAT @ 20% | £8,308.28 |
| Total (inc. VAT) | £49,849.69 |
|---|
Note: The above quotation is subject to a site confirmation survey of the electrical system. Costs exclude scaffold/access equipment, any groundworks, and DNO network reinforcement charges if required.
Smart Export Guarantee
Once installed and MCS-registered, Auchernack House will be eligible for the UK Government's Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Under SEG, energy suppliers must offer a tariff for electricity exported to the grid. Any surplus solar generation not used on-site or stored in the batteries can be sold back, generating an additional income stream to offset running costs.
About AES Renewables
AES Renewables is a Forres-based renewable energy company specialising in solar PV, battery storage, solar thermal, and heat pump installations. Fully MCS-certified (Code: NAP16989), RECC-registered, and Trustmark-endorsed, AES has been delivering renewable energy systems across the Highlands and Moray for over twenty years. Their local knowledge, directly employed installation teams, and long-term service relationships make them an ideal partner for a community-focused project of this kind.
