5.5kW Solar PV & Battery Storage Installation – Peterborough

Tom Clarkson
4 days ago
2 min read

Project Overview

This Peterborough homeowner contacted Optimum Electrics as they were planning to replace their existing heating system with an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) in the near future. To prepare for the increased electricity demand associated with low-carbon heating, the customer wanted to install a solar PV and battery storage system that would help stabilise energy costs, reduce reliance on the grid, and support the efficiency of their future ASHP.

A 5.5kW solar and battery solution was designed to complement their planned system upgrade and provide clean, renewable, and stored energy for years to come.

System Specifications

Component	Description
Solar Panels	12 × 460W AIKO Neostar 2S All-Black Panels
Inverter	1 × 6kW Sigenergy Hybrid Inverter
Battery Storage	8kWh Sigenergy Battery
Mounting	Fastensol Roof Mounting System
Protection	Bird Protection Meshing Installed
Installation Date	February 2025
Property Supply Type	Single-phase
Battery & Inverter Location	Detached garage

Installation Notes

Due to the location of the main electrical meter, small-scale groundworks were required to route cabling from the property to the detached garage. This involved lifting and reinstating existing block paving and slabs, ensuring that no visible disruption remained once the installation was complete.

Both AC supply and DC cable runs followed this underground route, enabling a neat, secure, and discreet installation while maintaining full system functionality.

Outcome & Benefits

This tailored installation provides the homeowner with:

A system designed to work in harmony with their future ASHP
Lower electricity costs and greater protection from price increases
Stored solar energy for evening and peak-tariff usage
Increased energy independence
A more sustainable and future-proof home energy setup

Summary

The combination of AIKO all-black panels and Sigenergy hybrid technology offers the homeowner a reliable, modern, and scalable renewable energy solution. With careful planning, discreet groundworks, and strategic equipment placement, the property is now well-positioned for a smooth transition to fully electric, low-carbon heating.