Case Study: TSC House – Solar PV & Battery Storage

Client: Smart Guard | Location: TSC House, Crawley, West Sussex

Project Brief

Blue Electric Contractors Ltd was appointed to deliver a comprehensive low-carbon energy solution for TSC House, a multi-tenant commercial office accommodating four businesses. The project was designed to reduce operational energy costs, remove reliance on the gas grid, and significantly cut the building’s carbon footprint while ensuring minimal disruption to daily operations.

The package of works included:
- 16.4 kWp three-phase Solar PV system installed on the flat roof using a non-penetrative mounting solution
- 10 kWh battery storage system to optimise self-consumption of solar energy
- Full upgrade to energy-efficient LED lighting
- Replacement of existing heating with smart-controlled electric storage heaters

This integrated approach transformed TSC House into a forward-thinking, sustainable workplace.

System Design

The system was designed with commercial operation in mind:

- PV Array: 16.4 kWp installed using Fastensole ballasted trays to preserve the waterproof integrity of the felt-finished roof
- Battery Storage: 10 kWh system enabling excess daytime generation to be stored and used during evenings or peak demand periods
- Heating & Lighting: Replacement of conventional systems with efficient, smart-controlled electric heating and LED lighting across the building

Forecast Generation: The PV system is expected to produce over 18,300 kWh annually, meeting more than 70% of the building’s total energy demand.

Problem Solving

Delivering the works in an occupied commercial office required careful planning:

- Tenant Coordination: With four separate businesses on site, Blue Electric scheduled works outside office hours and at weekends to prevent disruption.
- Roof Integrity: Protecting the flat felt roof was critical. A non-penetrative ballasted system was selected, ensuring roof performance and waterproofing were maintained without voiding warranties.
- Seamless Integration: The battery and heating upgrades were planned to integrate with existing electrical infrastructure, avoiding downtime for tenants.

This proactive approach ensured continuity for all businesses throughout delivery.

Collaboration

Blue Electric worked closely with the client’s facilities team and tenants to phase installation activities. Clear communication channels and responsive scheduling allowed the project to move forward without impacting building operations, demonstrating our capability to deliver renewable energy projects in live commercial environments.

Outcomes

- 70% reduction in grid electricity use, supported by battery storage

- 18,300 kWh of renewable energy generated annually

- Removal from the gas grid, with smart-controlled electric heating now in place

- Improved energy performance through LED upgrades and low-carbon heating

- Futureproof commercial office space aligned with sustainability goals

Client Feedback

Smart Guard praised Blue Electric’s ability to deliver a bespoke, low-carbon energy solution while maintaining business continuity. The project is viewed as a model for commercial retrofit, combining renewable energy with modern heating and lighting systems.

Reference

Alex Dumitrache – Operations Manager, Smart Guard
a.dumitrache@smartguardsecurity.com