Client:
Leicestershire Police
Date:
February 2023
Location:
Leicester
Sector:
Design Engineering

As part of Leicestershire Police’s wider sustainability and decarbonisation strategy, a new ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) farm was developed at the Force Headquarters in Enderby, Leicester.

The installation provides renewable power directly to the site, reducing reliance on grid-supplied electricity and supporting the organisation’s net-zero ambitions.

The 215 kWp system comprises 362 high-efficiency PV modules, delivering around 200 MWh of clean electricity per year — equivalent to powering over 60 homes — with an estimated five-year payback and lifetime benefit in excess of £2 million.

Our Role

SDE Design Engineering Ltd was appointed to provide M&E design consultancy services, developing the initial Stage 3 design into a comprehensive Stage 4 and 5 design package for the electrical contractor to aid construction and installation.

Our role focused on translating concept and performance design information into detailed, buildable documentation — ensuring compliance, constructability, and integration with the site’s existing electrical infrastructure.

Design Scope and Key Services

Our design responsibilities included: 

Detailed Electrical Design Development:

Produced a full suite of construction drawings covering PV frame layouts, array positioning, DC string schematics, AC single-line diagrams (SLDs), and cable routing layouts.

Completed detailed cable sizing and voltage drop calculations, selectivity and discrimination studies, and earthing assessments to ensure safe and efficient operation.

Designed the G100 export-limiting control panel, enabling controlled grid interaction in line with DNO requirements.

Coordinated the LV distribution integration and protection interfaces for the 3 × 60 kW inverters.

Mechanical and Civil Coordination:

Collaborated with structural and civil teams to integrate PV framing systems, cable management routes, and access provisions within site constraints. 

Considered ground conditions, drainage, and security restrictions specific to a live police HQ environment. 

Technical Assurance and Compliance:

Ensured all designs conformed to G99/G100 connection standards, IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671), and project-specific security and safety requirements. 

 

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Key Outcomes

System Capacity: 215 kWp (362 modules)
Inverters: 3 × 60 kW Solax units
Annual Generation: ~200 MWh
Carbon Saving: ~90 tonnes CO₂ per annum
Payback Period: ~5 years
Lifetime Benefit: £2 million+

The system now provides a substantial proportion of the site’s daytime load, supporting key operational facilities such as server rooms, communications hubs, and catering areas.

Design Challenges

Grid connection and export limitation: Required detailed coordination with the DNO and integration of a G100-compliant control system.

Security and operational continuity: All works were delivered within the constraints of an active police HQ, requiring controlled access and robust coordination.

Complex cable routing and protection: The large ground area and distributed inverter arrangement demanded precise coordination of trenching, protection, and voltage drop management.

Sustainability and Legacy

The Leicestershire Police Solar Farm demonstrates how well-engineered renewable systems can deliver tangible carbon and cost savings for public-sector estates.
SDE Design Engineering’s Stage 4–5 design input ensured the project was technically robust, fully coordinated, and ready for efficient construction — setting a benchmark for future low-carbon estate projects.