Scope of Works

Alt-Group’s scope was to design and install an east/west solar ground mount array of 16,800 panels (11.5MW), DC stringing, installation of inverters on the gable ends of the east/west tables, and connection from inverters to local AC isolators. Installation also included civil works such as trenching for DC, AC and communication cables.

The Lancaster Team

As standard practice, Alt-Group appointed our independent heath and safety advisors CDMS to review our drafted detailed design risk assessment and Construction Phase Plan to ensure a robust safe system of work. They also audit the site on a monthly basis.

Lancaster University is a complex and time critical project that requires Alt-Group’s expert resourcing and most experienced team. Therefore this project was managed by Will George, one of Alt-Group’s founding members, who spends his time directly supporting the two non-working site supervisors and two project managers appointed to deliver this project.

Key Challenges

The topography of the site made the installation of the piles and frames particularly challenging. Piles had to be set at varying heights to follow the contours of the land to ensure an aesthetically pleasing result and meeting design requirements.

Ground conditions were challenging; there were areas where engineers hit rock whilst pile driving which meant pilot drilling was required. There were areas of ground that were waterlogged, therefore our engineers required tracked machinery to operate safely and effectively.

We designed and manufactured steel structures to enable safe unloading and distribution of the modules. This was one of the first sites that, due to their size, modules were delivered in portrait. We had identified this as a potential health and safety issue, particularly due to waterlogged ground conditions.

Lancaster Installation Partners

This project has been delivered in collaboration with GridFit, who provided their own project manager, installation engineers and plant to construct the tables and install the modules.

CDMS are Alt-Group’s appointed 3rd party, independent HSE consultant and service provider, providing ongoing oversight for compliance.