Styne Renewables - Ford Farms, Ipswich: 295kWp Solar + DC-Coupled Battery Storage
Immersa partnered with Styne Renewables to support the delivery of a ground-mount solar and battery installation at Ford Farms. The objective was to significantly reduce grid reliance through an optimised solar + storage solution designed to maximise self-consumption and operate efficiently within the site’s grid connection agreement. The scheme combines a 295kWp ground-mounted solar array with a containerised AlphaESS 100kW / 443kWh battery system, with 215kWp of solar DC-coupled directly into the BESS to enhance system performance.
Project Snapshot
Immersa Role:
Battery sizing, engineering support, and battery supplier
Installer:
Styne RenewablesLocation:
Ipswich
Installed PV Capacity:
295kWp ground-mounted solar
Battery Storage:
AlphaESS UK 100kW / 443kWh containerised BESS
DC-Coupled Solar into BESS:
215kWp
Project Objective:
Reduce reliance on grid electricity
Forecast Grid Import Reduction:
81% (vs 45% with solar only)
Key Achievement:
81% grid import reduction (vs 45% with solar only)
Solar Self-Consumption with BESS:
55%
Challenge
Ford Farms required a solution that would deliver meaningful grid import reduction and long-term energy cost stability. Modelling showed that a solar-only installation would achieve approximately 45% grid import reduction, limiting the commercial impact of the scheme. The challenge was to increase on-site utilisation of solar generation, operate efficiently within grid constraints, deliver measurable performance improvements, and maintain a commercially viable system design.
Approach
- Financial modelling and BESS sizing analysis
- Engineering and system integration support
- Supplying a containerised 100kW / 443kWh battery system
- Supporting ground screw and mounting integration
- Providing technical assistance throughout project delivery
- All forecast figures were derived from Immersa’s internal BESS modelling process
Products & Services
Products
- Containerised AlphaESS 100kW / 443kWh battery energy storage system
- 20ft ISO converted inverter configuration
Services
- System sizing and financial analysis
- Engineering design and integration support
- BESS performance modelling
- Technical installation support
Solution
The completed system integrates 295kWp of solar, with 215kWp DC-coupled directly into the battery energy storage system. This architecture allows excess generation to be captured and stored rather than exported, significantly increasing self-consumption and improving overall system efficiency. Operating behind the site’s grid connection agreement, the DC-coupled design ensures maximum use of available solar generation while remaining compliant with DNO constraints.
Results & Impact
- Significant annual electricity savings
- 81% grid import reduction
- 55% self-consumption of solar generation
- Reduced exposure to volatile energy prices
- The modelling clearly demonstrated the commercial and operational value of integrating BESS alongside solar generation
Value Delivered
- This project highlights how Immersa supports installer partners in delivering optimised, high-performance renewable systems
- By combining engineering expertise, financial modelling and product supply, Styne Renewables delivered a solution that substantially outperformed a standalone PV installation
- Ford Farms now benefits from lower grid reliance, improved energy cost predictability and a future-ready renewable energy platform
Project Images
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