Independent Solar Consulting Services
Solar PV projects involve numerous technical, financial, regulatory, and operational considerations that can be challenging to navigate without specialist expertise. At Nova Volt Solar, we offer independent consulting services to businesses, property developers, investors, public sector organisations, and homeowners across Greater Manchester who want expert guidance on solar PV projects without commitment to a specific installer or technology.
Our consulting team brings decades of combined experience across hundreds of solar projects ranging from small residential installations to multi-megawatt commercial developments. We provide genuinely impartial advice based on technical merit and your specific objectives, not commercial preferences for particular suppliers or installation methodologies. Whether you need a feasibility study for a single building, due diligence for an investment opportunity, or strategic advice on a multi-site portfolio rollout, we have the expertise to support your decision-making.
Our Consulting Services
Feasibility Studies
Comprehensive feasibility studies assess the technical and financial viability of solar PV at specific sites or across building portfolios. Our feasibility assessments typically include site analysis, structural assessment, electrical infrastructure review, generation modelling using site-specific solar irradiance data, financial modelling including capital costs, operating costs, and revenue projections, planning and grid connection considerations, and risk assessment with mitigation strategies. Studies are presented as detailed reports suitable for board presentation and investment decision-making.
Technical Due Diligence
For investors acquiring solar assets or buildings with existing solar installations, our technical due diligence services provide independent verification of system condition, performance, and compliance. We review installation documentation, conduct site inspections, perform electrical testing, analyse historical performance data, and identify any deficiencies that may require remediation. Our reports support transaction negotiations and risk assessment for solar investments.
System Design and Engineering
Our engineering team can develop detailed solar system designs for projects ranging from small commercial installations to multi-megawatt utility-scale developments. Design services include array layout optimisation, electrical single-line diagrams, structural design, mounting system specifications, inverter selection and configuration, monitoring and control system design, and integration with existing electrical infrastructure. Designs are produced to RIBA Stage 4 detail level, suitable for tender or direct procurement.
Procurement Support
We support clients through procurement processes including tender preparation, supplier evaluation, contract negotiation, and project oversight. Our independence from specific suppliers means we can recommend the optimal combination of components and services based on your project requirements rather than commercial relationships. We're particularly experienced with public sector procurement requirements and can structure procurement processes to meet OJEU/PCR compliance.
Planning and Permits
Solar projects often require various permits and consents including planning permission, grid connection approvals, building control sign-off, and (for larger projects) environmental impact assessment. Our consultants navigate these processes on behalf of clients, working with local authorities, distribution network operators, and other stakeholders to secure required approvals efficiently and cost-effectively.
Sectors We Support
Commercial Property
We work with commercial property owners, investors, developers, and managing agents on solar projects across office, retail, industrial, and mixed-use buildings. Our services support new development design, existing portfolio retrofitting, transactional due diligence, and ongoing asset management. We understand the specific commercial property considerations including service charge structures, lease arrangements, capital allowances, and EPC implications.
Public Sector
Local authorities, NHS trusts, universities, schools, and other public sector organisations face specific procurement, governance, and reporting requirements that influence solar project structures. Our public sector consulting team is experienced with PCR-compliant procurement, decarbonisation strategy development, and the specific funding mechanisms available to public sector clients. We've supported solar projects across many public sector organisations across the North West.
Industrial and Manufacturing
Industrial clients often have specific requirements around process power quality, operational continuity, and integration with existing electrical infrastructure. Our industrial consulting services address these specific concerns while delivering solar projects that meet challenging financial and sustainability targets. We've worked with manufacturers across diverse sectors including food and beverage, chemicals, automotive, electronics, and metals processing.
Property Developers
New developments increasingly include solar PV as standard, driven by regulatory requirements (including new Future Homes Standard requirements), planning conditions, and buyer demand. We work with developers to specify, design, and procure solar systems for residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments, ensuring solar integrates effectively with overall energy strategy and building services design.
Our Consulting Methodology
Independence and Impartiality
The cornerstone of our consulting practice is genuine independence from specific suppliers, technologies, or solutions. We provide advice based purely on what will deliver the best outcome for your specific project and objectives, not commercial relationships with particular manufacturers or installers. Where we identify potential conflicts of interest, we declare them clearly and recommend alternative arrangements as appropriate.
Evidence-Based Analysis
Our recommendations are grounded in detailed analysis using industry-standard tools and methodologies. We use PVSyst and other professional solar simulation software for generation modelling, structural engineering software for loading assessments, and detailed financial models for investment analysis. All assumptions are clearly documented and sensitivities tested to provide robust recommendations.
Practical Implementation Focus
Our consulting team includes experienced installers, designers, and project managers who understand the practical realities of delivering solar projects. This practical experience ensures our recommendations are deliverable, cost-effective, and likely to perform as predicted. We don't generate theoretically optimal designs that prove impractical to install or maintain.
Engagement Models
We offer flexible engagement models to suit different client requirements. Fixed-fee assignments suit clearly-scoped projects with defined deliverables. Time-and-materials arrangements suit ongoing advisory relationships or projects with evolving requirements. Retained advisory roles provide continuous access to our expertise for clients with substantial solar portfolios or development pipelines. Performance-based fees can be appropriate for some development assignments.
Discuss Your Solar Consulting Requirements
Whether you have a specific project in mind or a broader strategic question about solar PV, our consulting team would welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can support you. Initial consultations are completely free with no obligation. Contact us today on 0330 223 7664 to arrange a discussion with one of our senior consultants.
