Location: Shore Street, Rosehearty
Technology: Solar PV panels and energy storage
CARES funding: £18,582.86
Date installed/operational: January 2024
Background
Rosehearty Harbour and Inshore Fisherman’s Association (RHIFA) was formed in 2018 following a consultation with Aberdeenshire Council and North East Scotland Fisheries Local Action Group (NESFLAG). The RHIFA aims to protect and promote the livelihoods of licenced inshore fishermen and improve the harbour facilities to benefit the wider community and its visitors.
Since its formation, the RHIFA has made a range of improvements to the harbour, benefiting its appearance, safety, and functionality. The construction of a chill and ice making facility was carried out to reduce the need for members to travel elsewhere for these services, helping to reduce their travel costs and carbon footprint. However, soaring energy costs meant that the facility was in danger of becoming financially unstable, which could have resulted in its closure.
Project aims and objectives
The RHIFA’s main objective was to lower its energy cost to keep the chill and ice making facility open for the community. The RHIFA initially looked at reducing its energy costs through better management and use of the facilities. This included producing ice during lower tariff cost times, turning off external lights and ensuring the facility was only used when necessary. These measures did help to reduce costs but were not enough to ensure the facility’s long-term stability.
Due to the nature of RHIFA members’ activities, the facility is mainly used between April and November each year. This meant a solar photovoltaic (PV) system could meet a significant portion of the facility’s energy needs. The RHIFA applied for support from the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) and received a grant of £18,582.86 to install solar panels and an energy storage system. The RHIFA notes that it would not have been able to complete this project without the guidance and help provided by CARES.
Outcomes and achievements
With input and guidance from a CARES development officer, two suitable and relatively local Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) registered suppliers were identified and asked to provide proposals. The system proposed by ORKA Solutions was chosen, which met both CARES criteria and the requirements of the RHIFA.
A 5.04KWp solar array on both the east and west sides of the chill facility roof, along with three 3.84kW storage batteries, was installed during the final quarter of 2023 and has been fully operational since the beginning of 2024.
The design documents from ORKA Solutions indicate the possibility of savings that could cover all energy costs for the foreseeable future. The RHIFA aims to cover at least 80% of total energy costs through use of the system, accounting for unknowns such as weather patterns, tariff changes and usage fluctuation. It plans to export any unused energy directly into the grid.
The savings made from this project will ensure the future viability of the chill and ice-making facility, as well as generate savings which can be used for future projects and continued assistance of fourteen local community organisations via an annual donation.
Lessons learned
RHIFA notes that understanding the renewable technology being proposed is important so you can consider more than a single option. This will help to make sure that the best choice is being made for your project.
The RHIFA says that choosing an experienced and local MCS certified company as its preferred contractor proved to be an excellent decision. This ensured the project was completed to a very high standard and in a timely manner.
It also notes that having a supplier who guided them through the technology and maintained timely and clear communications throughout the project proved key to the on-time delivery of the project.
Published in February 2025.