Off-grid power solution for remote Scottish holiday home
Overview
Project: Off-grid power solution for remote Scottish holiday home
Location: Near Ben Nevis, Scotland
The brief:
CES was engaged to deliver an off-grid solar PV and battery storage system for a remote holiday home near Ben Nevis.
The primary objective was to provide year-round uninterrupted power, dehumidifying and heating equipment to protect the building during unoccupied periods.
The system was designed to transform a rarely-used property into a functional holiday home while reducing reliance on generator power.
The challenge:
The remote holiday home posed significant challenges due to its isolated location, requiring an hour’s drive down a private lane.
Before CES’s intervention, the property required daily visits from a groundskeeper to operate generators for running essential dehumidifiers and heating systems to prevent issues such as frozen pipes.
The building, which replaced a former manor house that had been demolished during military training exercises, was suffering from damp and cold conditions, limiting its use to approximately two brief visits per year.
The solution:
CES delivered a 7.8kWp system complemented by battery storage technology, integrated with the existing generator.
The solution allows for more efficient generator operation, as it can now run at high speed to charge the batteries quickly before switching off – the optimal way for generators to function.
The system maintains consistent power for dehumidification and heating equipment, protecting the building year-round.
Key project highlights:
- Transformed property usage from two annual visits to four-five trips annually
- Extended stay duration to multiple weeks at a time
- Reduced need for daily maintenance visits
- More efficient generator operation
Why this project stands out:
This project demonstrates CES’s capability to transform an under-utilised remote property into a functional holiday home through renewable energy integration.
The solution not only resolved immediate power needs but also enabled plans for future expansion.
What the client appreciated most:
The uninterruptible power supply (UPS) provided for the dehumidification and boiler was an essential component of the installation process for the client. Remote monitoring enables CES to check the system in advance, ensuring everything is functioning properly before any potential client visits
Future development plans for the site:
- Addition of solar and battery storage to a new bothy (planned for May 2025)
- Installation of a smaller solar/battery storage system for the groundsman’s workshop (planned for May 2025)
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