In the first six months since commissioning, a 184-panel solar array on the roof of York Minster has generated more than 42,000kWh of electricity, meeting more than 80% of the building鈥檚 energy needs at peak, saving nearly 拢20,000 in electricity costs and offsetting eight tonnes of CO鈧� emissions.
With a commitment to achieve the Church of England鈥檚 target to reach net-zero operation by 2030, the Chapter of York, the governing body overseeing York Minster and its wider seven-hectare estate, sought a solution that would reduce the Minster鈥檚 carbon emissions while also saving money.
However, for a building with a history of rooftop fires 鈥� including a lightning-induced blaze in 1984 that caused millions of pounds worth of damage and took four years to repair 鈥� fire safety was paramount.
Working with specialist installer Associated Clean Technologies (ACT), the Chapter selected SolarEdge鈥檚 DC-Optimised Inverter and Power Optimizer system, chosen for its ability to maximise solar output while minimising electrical and fire risk.
鈥淲e chose SolarEdge technology primarily for peace of mind.鈥� said Alex McCallion, director of works and precinct for the Chapter of York. 鈥淭his is an incredibly important building 鈥� it鈥檚 the symbol of this great city, the largest Gothic cathedral north of the Alps, so it has huge international significance; however it is also a building with an unfortunate history of fire,鈥�
He continued: 鈥淥ne of the reassuring [aspects] of [SolarEdge technology] is the significant reduction in risk. We worked very closely with our insurance company, EIG, to reassure them, and us, that we were able to address the possible risk to the fabric of this beautiful building [by installing solar].鈥�
To deliver both performance and protection, ACT designed the system with Power Optimizers installed beneath the solar panels, enabling each panel to operate independently. This ensures that, unlike conventional solar systems, if any panels are shaded by the Minster鈥檚 complex rooftop architecture 鈥� which includes pinnacles and towers 鈥� any drop in output is limited only to the affected modules, maintaining consistent and high overall energy production.
However, while energy performance was essential, safety was non-negotiable. SolarEdge鈥檚 technology is specifically designed to reduce electrical and fire risks in solar installations 鈥� an especially important consideration for heritage buildings like York Minster. At the core of this safety approach is SafeDC, a feature designed to automatically reduce high-voltage DC current at the panel level to touch-safe levels when the inverter or grid is shut down. This dramatically lowers the risk of electrical shock, allowing emergency responders or maintenance teams to safely access the roof.
Additional protection is provided by SolarEdge鈥檚 Sense Connect technology, embedded in the S-Series Power Optimizers used for the Minster. This system continuously monitors for abnormal heat build-up at the connector level 鈥� an early indication of potential faults. If excessive heat is detected, the system can automatically prevent an electrical arc from forming.
To offer further assurance, especially in emergency situations, the installation includes a Firefighter Gateway that is wired into the building鈥檚 fire alarm system. This allows the entire solar array to be shut down quickly 鈥� either manually or automatically 鈥� giving fire crews control of the system during an emergency and ensuring the roof can be accessed safely and without delay.
鈥淎s a company, we always choose SolarEdge over any competitor product,鈥� said ACT operations director Nicola Newby. 鈥淲e are a huge advocate of the technology for many reasons, but primarily because of its safety features. Added to this, the support team is always on hand. If we hit a hurdle, we know any issues will be resolved instantly. We feel very supported.鈥�
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
