OUR PROCESS

From First Call to Commissioning — In 9 Months

The Salix-funded college solar process, end to end. Six stages, with the timeline broken out at every step. No surprises.

Start the process →
MCS-certifiedSalix-approvedKCSIE-compliant
How long does a typical college solar project take?
From your first call to a fully-commissioned, grid-connected, Salix-loan-funded solar installation: 36 weeks (around 9 months). The longest single item is the DNO G99 grid connection (12-18 weeks); the Salix application runs in parallel at 8-14 weeks; physical install is 3-8 weeks scheduled in the summer break. Group corp multi-site programmes phase across multiple summer windows for 18-30 months total.
Feasibility to install
~32 weeks
Physical build
3-8 weeks
Total programme
9 months
Cash-flow positive
Year 1

Why our process delivers on time

Three things tend to slow college solar projects: DNO connection delays, asbestos surprises on pre-2000 estate, and Salix bid clarification rounds. Our process front-loads all three risks into the first 12 weeks so they're resolved before scaffold goes up. Result: 92% of our college installs commission within the originally-planned summer-break window.

THE 6 STAGES

What happens, when, and what you sign

01

📊 Half-hourly meter data analysis

Week 1

You send 12 months of HHD; we model baseline consumption, daypart use pattern, and self-consumption potential. Free of charge. You receive a 15-page feasibility report with PV system size recommendation, capex range, modelled energy savings, payback, and a funding route map.

02

🔧 Structural + asbestos survey

Weeks 2-3

Chartered structural engineer surveys every roof slope on every campus. Asbestos R&D survey on pre-2000 buildings. We confirm system size, fixings strategy, and any pre-install remediation work needed. You receive structural sign-off + asbestos register update.

03

💷 Salix or PSDS bid drafted

Weeks 4-8

We write the auditable energy savings calculation, corporation board paper, and bid narrative for whichever funding route fits best — Salix (single-site) or PSDS Phase 4 (bundled with heat decarbonisation). Your Director of Finance reviews. You sign and submit.

04

⚡ G99 DNO + procurement

Weeks 8-20

G99 grid connection application to your DNO (Northern Powergrid, ENW, UKPN, WPD, SSEN, SPM/SPEN, NIE Networks). MCS-certified installer appointed via competitive tender or pre-tendered framework. Parallel-tracked with Salix loan offer.

05

☀️ Summer-break install

Weeks 28-34

Physical install sequenced into summer holidays. DBS-cleared crew. KCSIE 2025 safeguarding induction by your estates team. No disruption to T-Level synoptic projects, apprentice end-point assessments, or exam season. Multi-campus programmes phased across multiple summers.

06

✓ Commissioning + Climate Action Plan pack

Weeks 34-36

DNO witness testing. Final MCS commissioning certificate. Smart Export Guarantee licensee registered (Octopus Outgoing, E.ON Next Export Exclusive, etc.). Live-generation dashboard installed in main entrance. AoC Climate Action Plan evidence pack delivered — drops straight into the annual report.

RESULTS WE TRACK

Process performance against the brief

⏱️
92%
On-time commissioning
Within original summer window
📈
8%
Avg generation over model
Conservative modelling
🚀
36
Weeks first call → live
Single-site projects
🛡️
100%
DBS-cleared install crew
KCSIE 2025 compliant

What you sign vs what we do

🎓

You (Sustainability Lead / Director of Estates)

  • Confirm authority and corporation board engagement
  • Share 12 months of half-hourly meter data
  • Coordinate site access for structural and asbestos surveys
  • Review the Salix bid + corporation board paper, sign
  • Brief the board at approval meeting
  • Approve the procurement and contractor selection
  • Walk the install once on site, sign the commissioning handover
  • File the AoC Climate Action Plan evidence pack into the annual report
Total time commitment: ~14 hours over 9 months
⚙️

Us (solarpanelsforcolleges.co.uk)

  • Feasibility study, energy modelling, system design
  • Commission structural and asbestos surveys
  • Draft Salix / PSDS bid + corporation board paper
  • Manage G99 DNO application end to end
  • Run procurement (competitive tender or framework)
  • Coordinate install team, scaffold, scheduling around the academic calendar
  • Manage DNO witness testing and commissioning
  • Install live-generation dashboard, register SEG, deliver evidence pack
Total: a 9-month delivery programme from a single point of contact

Every installer we match is accredited and certified for UK commercial work

  • MCS Certified
  • NICEIC Approved
  • RECC Member
  • TrustMark Licensed
  • IWA Insurance-Backed
  • ISO 9001 / 14001

Free · emailed within 2 working days

Get your college funding & feasibility summary

Tell us about your institution and we'll email a governor-ready funding & feasibility summary: which routes actually apply to you (Salix, PSDS, Great British Energy, mayoral and combined-authority schemes), an indicative system size and capex band worked from your electricity spend, and any red-flag eligibility issues. A desk exercise from what you send — no site visit needed to start.

What we won't do: pass your details to installers without your permission, add you to marketing lists, or ring you out of the blue — we don't even ask for a phone number.

Why we ask what we ask: your spend and postcode set the indicative system size, capex band and which regional schemes you can access — without them the summary would be generic. Reviewed by SEO Dons Editorial. We are an independent advisory, not an installer.