Some data drop outs and lower irradiance have resulted in marginally lower generation across all assets, compared to the same period last financial year. We are continuing to invest in new solar systems where feasible, such as a newly designed system on the County Records building in Chichester (planned to start construction in April 2021). We are also in the process of procuring an O&M partner for our solar portfolio across schools and corporate buildings, which will optimise efficiency of these systems ensuring we maximise the quantity of green energy we produce, use, and feed back into the grid.

During the 2019/20 financial year, the YES (Your Energy Sussex) team installed a further 8 solar PV systems, of which 6 were installed at schools. These comprise a further 1.3 megawatt power (MWp) of combined installed capacity. Between 2015/16 to 2019/20 the YES team have installed 71 total solar PV systems (68 at schools), to a combined total capacity of over 4.5 MWp. Alongside our solar farms at Tangmere and Westhampnett, these equate to around 17 MWp of installed capacity. During 2019/20 these systems have generated enough electricity to power over 5,500 standard UK homes for an entire year. We have several more installations planned for 2020/21 across more schools, and are investigating opportunities within our own corporate estate.