Delivering multi-site solar PV installations to support long-term decarbonisation goals.
The context: a diverse estate and a decarbonisation mandate
Like many public sector organisations, Harlow Council is under increasing pressure to meet net zero targets while managing a complex and ageing estate of mixed-use buildings, from civic offices and community centres to heritage sites and service hubs.
The council recognised that solar PV could be a critical lever to reduce carbon emissions and improve long-term energy resilience. But with 14 different buildings, varied roof types, and a fixed public budget, they needed a delivery partner who could design, install, and maintain a solar solution that was technically smart, financially sound, and logistically low-risk.
The challenge: multi-building complexity & budget accountability
- How do you deliver solar PV at scale across public buildings without disrupting essential services?
- How do you ensure procurement standards are met while maximising public value from tight budgets?
- How do you guarantee long-term performance from systems spread across different roof types, orientations, and conditions?
- These were the questions Harlow Council’s asset and procurement teams had to answer alongside meeting their own internal carbon reduction targets.
The solution: a coordinated, costed, council-aligned solar PV rollout
Carbon3 was appointed to design and deliver a £250,000 solar PV programme across 14 council-owned buildings. These included a public museum, electoral services office, business centre, and multiple flat- and pitched-roofed civic buildings.
Key features of the solution:
- 616 high-efficiency Trina 400W panels deployed across various roof structures (trapezoidal steel, tiled, and flat roofs with ballasted systems).
- A site-by-site design approach to maximise yield, safety, and compliance across the estate.
- Works scheduled and staged to avoid disruption to public access and service delivery.
- A 5-year operations & maintenance contract to ensure system performance, warranty protection, and continuous optimisation.
The results: long-term value and tangible carbon savings
The solar arrays will generate over 10.5 million kWh during their anticipated 25 to 30-year lifespan, providing Harlow Council with a stable, clean energy source across their building assets. The project was completed in only 2 months, and without disrupting any of the client’s day-to-day operations.
The takeaway:
Whether you’re overseeing a civic estate, leisure centres, or social housing, solar PV doesn’t have to be complex or costly when designed with your estate strategy in mind.
Carbon3 helps councils and public sector bodies turn decarbonisation targets into delivered, operational energy savings without compromising service delivery or asset performance.
Contact us now for a quote – info@carbon3.co.uk.
