The Church of England Pensions Board is the national body that provides retirement housing and support for those who have served the Church, including its Manormead Supported Housing community in Hindhead, Surrey. To reduce operating costs at Manormead and strengthen its environmental credentials, the Pensions Board partnered with DES Renewable Energy to install a rooftop solar PV system that generates clean electricity onsite, lowers energy bills and supports its long-term sustainability goals.
Project overview
The Church of England Pensions Board commissioned DES Renewable Energy to install a 63.00 kWp solar PV system across the pitched roof at Manormead Supported Housing. The installation comprised 140 x 450W Astronergy (CHINT Solar) panels connected to a SolarEdge SE50K Synergy Manager inverter with 71 power optimisers. The project aimed to reduce electricity costs, lower carbon emissions and enhance long-term financial sustainability.
Project details
- Company: The Church of England Pensions Board (Manormead Supported Housing)
- Location: Tilford Road, Beacon Hill, Hindhead, GU26 6RA
- Solar system capacity: 63.00 kWp
- Estimated annual generation: 50,230 kWh
- Installation type: Pitched roof solar panels
- Project timeline: Delivered in 2025, from survey to commissioning
The objectives
- Reduce electricity costs and dependence on grid energy
- Improve environmental sustainability by reducing the site’s carbon footprint
- Achieve long-term operational savings and financial returns
- Demonstrate responsible energy practices to customers, staff and stakeholders
The solution: bespoke assessment and design
DES Renewable Energy conducted a comprehensive assessment of roof space, structural considerations, sun exposure and interlocking constraints, ensuring optimal placement and system sizing to maximise energy production and long-term reliability.
The system was designed with 140 x 450W Astronergy (CHINT Solar) panels across the pitched roof. Power conversion is handled by a SolarEdge SE50K Synergy Manager inverter, supported by 71 power optimisers for panel-level performance. The system integrates with the site’s existing electrical infrastructure for efficient energy management. DES Renewable Energy also ensured compliance with building regulations, electrical standards and industry best practices, obtaining all necessary permits and approvals for a fully compliant and safe installation.
Installation and completion
The installation was carried out with minimal disruption to day-to-day site operations at the supported housing community. Panels were securely mounted, connected to the inverter and integrated with the existing electrical system. Comprehensive testing and commissioning verified the system’s performance, functionality and safety. From initial assessment to completed commissioning, DES Renewable Energy provided a turnkey solution ensuring optimal energy generation, regulatory compliance and sustainable operational savings.
The results
- Energy cost reduction: lower electricity bills and reduced reliance on grid energy
- Environmental impact: an estimated 50,230 kWh of clean energy each year, saving an estimated 10.4 tonnes of CO2 annually and supporting sustainability goals
- Financial returns: savings on energy costs contribute to long-term financial sustainability
- Public image: demonstrates responsible energy practices to customers, staff and stakeholders
At a glance
- 140 x 450W Astronergy (CHINT Solar) panels on a pitched roof
- 63.00 kWp total system capacity
- SolarEdge SE50K Synergy Manager inverter with 71 power optimisers
- An estimated 50,230 kWh of clean energy generated per year
- Reduced electricity costs and carbon footprint
Our accreditations
We are MCS certified, which guarantees that our installations have been designed, installed and commissioned to the highest standard using only MCS certified products. We are also NAPIT certified, which confirms that we are certified to install and self-certify all of our electrical installations, and we comply with the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC).
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Download the full Church of England Pensions Board case study (PDF).
More recent commercial & community installations by DES
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