With immediate effect Ken Ash has been appointed the new Divisional leader of T H WHITE Energy, Fire & Security. His team provides essential installations and support of fire and security systems for business and residential properties. This includes the repair, maintenance and monitoring of protection systems, as well as providing infrastructure support for the nation’s Electric Vehicle charge point network.

 Ken Ash joined T H WHITE in Autumn 2017 as Operations Manager with over 36 years of experience in the Security and Electrical Industry. Ken’s career started in 1984 working for GEC installing telephone exchanges for British Telecom. Ken then moved to Honeywell as a trainee installation engineer. After discovering he had a knack for fault-finding Ken moved into the Service Department and eventually progressed to Service Supervisor. The late 1980s saw Ken make a career move to the high security banking and financial services sector, working with leading UK banks including Lloyds, Midland and Nat West. During this period he was responsible for both service and installation departments throughout the UK. After an acquisition he found himself working for ADT and progressed to Bristol Brach Manager in the early 1990s. 

The security industry was affected by a number of acquisitions and mergers in the 1990s which resulted in Ken starting work for Initial Fire & Security. During his time at Initial he worked at the Swindon, Bristol and Fareham branches, achieving NSI/BAFE fire accreditation for the Bristol operation. Ken moved into the electrical compliance sector with a national company in 2012 running a successful and busy business whilst being the account manager for the UK’s largest supermarket chain.  

Since joining T H WHITE in 2017, Ken has enjoyed working within a strong and diverse engineering-based business with such a long stable history. The Energy Fire and Security team is focused on delivering the highest standards in line with its NSI Fire and NACOSS Gold accreditation. Additionally, the electrical team is dedicated to undertaking electrical Inspection and condition reports in numerous properties, while our electric vehicle charge point team is busy expanding the UK’s network of EV charging points.

As you sit in a queue of traffic and find yourself behind one of T H WHITE’s Energy, Fire & Security vans, you may notice a new symbol – a green fuel pump. 

It’s just a reminder of the latest technology we offer to customers as an Electric Vehicle Charge Point Installer. If you are interested in EV charging – at home or at work – find out how we can offer you a great deal by calling our specialists on 01380 726656.

To assist in the fight against rural crime T H WHITE Energy, Fire & Security has designed a multi-camera smart CCTV system which will alert customers to intrusion and trespass on the farm. 

To illustrate how the system would work our Energy, Fire & Security team has taken the case of a hypothetical farm, shown in the diagram below. In this scheme, five cameras cover key areas of the farm site. Potential intruders and trespassers are detected and, using state-of-the-art analytic software, notifications of activity are provided directly to the customer’s PC or to any iOS or Android device using an app.

Cameras and smart analytics

The cameras are high definition Hikvision ‘bullet’ units, designed to perform well in bright or dull lighting. The default image is colour, and the cameras will continue to produce colour images, even in low light. But when light levels drop further, the cameras switch to producing monochrome images with the on-board infrared LEDs lighting the scene. Some of the cameras are designed to produce a general view of certain areas including coverage of the car park, while others are set up via the analytics software to focus on sensitive areas.

An Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera at the main entrance (1) captures registration numbers of vehicles coming and going from site. The software can then automatically check the recorded number plates to identify if any are ‘blacklisted’ so that notifications can be sent to the customer.

A turret dome camera (2) is used to monitor the car park. A turret dome is used because the camera is in a prominent position and is more discreet than a bullet camera. These are preferred to standard domes when installed in an outdoor location because they are less affected by glare from housing or street lighting etc. Also, the infrared LEDs are positioned separately from the camera lens which draws insects and IR glare away from the camera lens.

For the farm shop a fisheye camera (3) is installed in a central position. These cameras have a clever lens which records the full 360° scene as a warped image, but up to four channels can be used to provide de-warped images. So, there are effectively four separate cameras running constantly even though there is only a single lens in a single housing. The 360° coverage also allows the customer to pan, tilt and zoom around the scene.

A ‘line-crossing’ detector is enabled on the bullet camera located at the entrance to the medium value storage barn (4). This will identify anyone crossing a ‘virtual’ line at the entrance to the unit at times when they would not be expected to be there, again generating a notification.

An intrusion zone feature is enabled on the bullet camera viewing the yard area outside the storage unit for high value items (5). A virtual area is drawn on the camera image and set up as an intrusion zone. If a person or vehicle is identified in this area outside permitted hours, a notification is generated.

Data transmission and recording

Data is sent over Cat6 cables (6) to and from the cameras where cable runs are practical. Two of the cameras are on a separate unit where cable runs aren’t possible, so wireless data transmission is an excellent solution. In this example we are using a wireless transmitter and receiver connected to data switches to transmit the images back to the recording equipment.

The network video recorder (NVR, 7) is a unit that enables images to be viewed, processed and recorded. It is connected to the customer’s network to allow the software to be used for both remote viewing and configuration of the system. The NVR features a monitor for viewing live or recorded images.  This smart unit uses analytics to filter out false alarms and identify when a human target has crossed a line or entered a prohibited area. When that happens the NVR will send an alert to the customer who can react by viewing the footage or by going to investigate. An added extra in this example installation is the electric vehicle charging point (8).

This scheme is just an example – there are many options that can be tailored to the site and specifics of any farm, estate or commercial premises and T H WHITE will design a bespoke installation. To hear more please call our Energy, Fire & Security team on 01380 726656.

The move to electric vehicles and zero emissions is well under way and will be driven by two factors: the cost of vehicles and the accessibility of charging points.

The Committee on Climate Change has already said it’s likely that the cost of electric cars will be similar to that of petrol or diesel vehicles by 2024-5. 

Meanwhile, Highways England is committed to ensuring that 95 per cent of its motorways and major A roads are within 20 miles of a charge point. 

To move towards that goal Highways England has awarded a contract to Swarco UK Ltd to install electric charging points in the south of England. T H WHITE Energy, Fire & Security is partnering Swarco to install E-Volt charging points that comply with the highest requirements of British Standards.

With around 230,000 electric vehicles already on the road at the end of 2018 and current forecasts suggesting that 30 per cent or more of vehicle ownership will be electric within five years, there are some great opportunities for companies, local authorities, retail, sporting and leisure operations to help staff and customers while boosting revenue.

CHARGER TYPES

Owners of electric vehicles will need to have a domestic charging point at home and T H WHITE has already been making these installations for customers. Typically these will charge a vehicle overnight on a low 7kWh rating, a charge taking 6-8 hours.

Charging at home is fine, but one of the biggest steps forward in overcoming ‘range anxiety’ is the decision by more and more employers to provide charging stations at the workplace. These take the form of commercial trickle chargers, again using about 7kWh which is perfect for staff parked during an 8-hour working day.

Where faster charging is required – for example at a golf club where members might want to charge their vehicle while they are out on the course, a speed charger will draw around 22kWh and deliver a full charge in 3-4 hours.

There are situations where an even faster charge is needed – such as at a retail store, sports centre or food outlet – and this is where a rapid charger can be attractive, taking around 45 minutes to an hour for a full charge at 50kWh. All charging times will, of course, depend on battery size, type and available capacity.

BENEFIT OR REVENUE STREAM?

Commercial operators who install EV charging points can choose to provide them as a benefit or to regard them as a low-maintenance revenue stream. An employer providing charging points at the workplace might choose just to charge ‘at-cost’ for the electricity – both a considerable staff incentive and a fulfilment of corporate social responsibility encouraging the shift to zero emissions. At a retail outlet, leisure facility or similar, the operator can decide on an acceptable mark-up to every kilowatt sold which would deliver a growing revenue stream as uptake of electric vehicles increases. Commercial sites with charging facilities are likely to be preferred by the growing number of potential customers with electric vehicles, generating added ‘footfall’. Chargepoints are included on registry listings and web apps, with availability also being spread by social media, further raising site profile.

CONTROL AND ANALYSIS

A typical dual socket installation at a small business usually costs between £3-10k depending on whether it’s a wall or post-mounted charging point, the infrastructure and cabling etc. This cost includes not only the installation, but a first year service and a digital back office application. The latter uses a dashboard which enables the operator to control and track billing, analyse charge rates (hour, part day, full day), profitability, and to calculate CO2 savings. Installers can also take advantage of OLEV grants (currently  £300 inc VAT for each socket installed) to offset the initial investment.

QUALITY AND SAFETY

When it comes to installing EV charging points there’s a wide choice of suppliers, but how will you know what you are getting? Different chargers and buildings have different earthing systems so it’s vital that the work is carried out correctly to avoid safety risks – not least electrocution.

When you use T H WHITE you will have the confidence of knowing that you are dealing with a fully approved installer and that the installation will conform to BS 7671, IET Wiring Regulations and The Code of Practice for Electric Charging Equipment Installation 

When you make an enquiry our normal process is to carry out  a site survey, discuss the types of charger best suited to the intended usage and then submit a detailed, costed proposal. On approval we will design the system and deliver a full turnkey solution. As all installations must be registered with the National Grid, we will take care of all the necessary paperwork and processes for you.

At present T H WHITE is partnering with Swarco UK Ltd to carry out EV charging installations across central southern England, from Somerset in the west to Surrey in the east, Oxfordshire in the north to Dorset in the south.

INTERESTED?

Call 01380 726656 and request your EV installation survey or visit www.efs.thwhite.co.uk and complete the ‘Get in touch’ enquiry form.

T H WHITE Apprentice Engineer Jordan Miners has scooped second place in an international competition – at his first attempt!

The ‘Engineers of Tomorrow’ contest takes place every year at IFSEC International, UK & Europe’s leading security event held at ExCel, London. The aim is to support and encourage the next generation of security engineers by pitting security apprentices against each other with a series of live, action-packed installation challenges throughout the three-day event.

Our very own Apprentice Engineer Jordan Miners was entered this year by Yeovil college, fully encouraged by the team at T H WHITE, to display his skills on an international platform. Jordan has worked as an Apprentice Engineer for two years in T H WHITE’s Energy, Fire & Security division.

With more than 60 engineers competing, working in teams of two – against each other, the challenge comprised three stages: to audit and pick out the faults on an existing system; to wire up two call points, two sounders and two smoke detectors into a CTEC fire panel; and to commission a new system and make sure it was fault free, at the same time answering technical questions about fire alarms.

“I was so pleased when I found out I had been selected,” said Jordan, “ because I had worked really hard at college to get through to IFSEC. On the day of the competition we felt nervous, but once we got started it was okay.”

The competition tasks lasted an hour and a half, after which Jordan was just a point away from a first place finish. “Although that was annoying I was really happy with second place considering it was my first attempt. I’m determined to go again next year and get first place!” 

T H WHITE runs an apprenticeship programme across many of its divisions encouraging trainees to combine day or block release at college alongside practical experience in the workplace.

T H WHITE was recently invited to take part in a competitive tender to supply, install and commission comprehensive IP CCTV systems for Bath and North East Somerset Council at two of its sites – Keynsham Recycling Centre in Pixash Lane and Haycombe Crematorium.

Following a site survey and initial customer consultation, T H WHITE submitted a proposal that suited both the customer’s design and budget expectations.

Finding the right balance between cost and quality for CCTV can be a difficult task. However, with the help of our sales team and in-house design crew both criteria were met, allowing the council confidently to place the order with T H WHITE. We look forward to working with the council on the two projects and any other projects that become may available in the future.

T H WHITE Energy, Fire and Security was the proud winner of a competitive tender to carry out the installation of a completely new wireless addressable fire alarm system and to provide an ongoing service and maintenance contract. Wireless was chosen over a wired system due to timescales and because this type of system causes relatively no installation intrusion to the building and therefore no disruption to any asbestos that may be present.
The installation not only provides protection to the pupils and school staff by giving them the earliest possible warning of a fire, but the design also offers the possibility of different alarm sounds for, say, a fire or emergency lockdown situation, all achieved through our EMS wireless addressable fire alarm panel.

The size of the site and the number of buildings presented quite a challenge, but a tight timescale was also imposed by the need to install and commission the system during the school holiday, also working around the activities of other contractors.

The systems were installed within the timescale set out at the start of the project with no major issues. Upon completion we carried out a full hand-over to the customer together with a training day to demonstrate how each of the systems could be used most effectively.

Lavington School has been most impressed with the service it received during the installation by T H WHITE. In addition to the wireless fire alarm installation, T H WHITE will now install and maintain a new emergency lighting system. To find out all about the options for installing fire and security systems, why not take a look at our new website – efs.thwhite.co.uk – or if you have a specific project in mind talk to us on 01380 726656.

The phenomenal growth in the uptake of electric vehicles – and the consequent need for charging point installations – has led to T H WHITE being awarded three contracts from local authority clients for installation of vehicle charge points across England and Wales with manufacturing partner Swarco.

The T H WHITE Energy, Fire & Security team began work on site for Oxfordshire County Council in preparation for the council’s planned programme of electric vehicle infrastructure. Hard on the heels of this success came similar contracts from Basildon & Rochford and Cardiff Councils. Charge points will be installed across these areas which are sure to be the first of many thousands that will appear in the next few years.

Electric vehicles are at the heart of the Government’s ultra-low emission vehicles policy and it is projected that between 9 and 12 million electric vehicles will be registered by the 2030s. Businesses we speak to are keen to reduce carbon emissions from their fleet costs, attract quality staff with their green credentials and improve air quality where they operate.

T H WHITE offers a full range of charge points, from simple residential installations to fast and rapid charge points for commercial use.

T H WHITE is also registered to offer grants to homeowners and businesses for each qualifying charge point installed. Call 01380 726656 or check our new website, efs.thwhite.co.uk.

The comprehensive products and services from T H WHITE Energy, Fire & Security have now been brought together in a brand new divisional website, efs.thwhite.co.uk.

T H WHITE is a leading installer of security systems, including alarms, access control and cctv and fire safety systems. In terms of renewable energy the division is also a leader in the supply and installation of solar PV systems combined with the latest battery storage solutions. We are also one of the few electric vehicle charge point installers in the country and we have the in-house capability to provide accredited engineering to install a full range of vehicle chargers for all commercial businesses and car parks.

A recent development is the appointment of T H WHITE Energy, Fire & Security as a Gent 24 Systems Integrator, joining an elite network and able to provide design, installation and service and maintenance of the Honeywell Gent range of fire safety systems. Honeywell Gent is a sought-after marque in the fire safety market and a market leader for many years and this new partnership further strengthens the offering from the division.

As well as supply and installations, T H WHITE Energy, Fire & Security undertakes upgrades, retrofit projects. We also offer service and maintenance contracts supported with reactive callout and remote monitoring where required.

We are NSI Gold, BAFE, Achilles, Safe-contractor, NICEIC, ISO9001 and ISO50001 accredited and able to support public and private sector commercial clients. To learn more visit efs.thwhite.co.uk, or call 01380 726656.

The fourth quarter of 2018 marks the launch of T H WHITE Energy, Fire and Security as a Gent 24 Systems Integrator. We are joining an elite network, able to provide design, installation, service and maintenance of the Honeywell Gent range of fire safety systems.

The Honeywell Gent brand has been around since 1872, almost as long as
T H WHITE (Est. 1832) and has a long history of delivering high quality fire safety solutions in almost every kind of building in the UK.

The range is renowned not only for its quality, but also durability and reliability and has long been a favourite of specifiers for new building projects or refurbishments. Honeywell Gent is backwards compatible which means existing Gent system owners have the comfort their system can be maintained to a good standard and upgrades made where necessary whilst still maintaining the same rock solid reliability.

T H WHITE has a long history in the installation and servicing of fire alarm systems making the fit with Gent very logical. T H WHITE customers expect the company to stand by them through thick and thin and provide a quality service for generations, while Gent has consistently proved to be a leader in fire safety systems.

“Honeywell Gent is a respected brand in the fire safety market and has been a market leader for many years,” said Alex Lockton, General Manager of the T H WHITE Energy, Fire and Security Division. “We are delighted with this new partnership as the fit between our brands is ideal and will suit many of our customers who look to T H WHITE to source strong brands to support them.”

Our Energy, Fire and Security Division has extensive experience in the fire sector gained over more than 25 years, and today it offers full in house design and installation services. We are also able to provide our customers with 24/7 year-round service support.

Our accreditations include NSI Gold, BAFE, Achilles, Safe-contractor, NICEIC, ISO9001 and ISO150001, and we work with public and private sector commercial clients.

Call 01380 726656 or email alarms@thwhite.co.uk if you would like a quote for a new installation, upgrades or retrofit projects, as well as service and maintenance contracts supported with reactive call-out and remote monitoring where required. www.thwhitesecurityandfire.co.uk.

The T H WHITE electric vehicle charge point at Nursteed Road Devizes, is now connected to Swarco E.Connect and available for anyone to use. Its location code Is SEC.10096.

Go to www.swarcoeconnect.org and either download their App or download via your usual App platform. This is now live on both Apple and Android. The cost at any given location will be displayed on the website and within the App. A live map is being developed for the website which will show all the locations of charging points together with prices.

Swarco E.Connect Is an electric vehicle (EV) recharging network in the UK, Germany and Austria. It is part of the Swarco Group, which also owns eVolt, a supplier of EV Charge Points.

The charge point, supplied by T H WHITE Energy, Fire & Security Division, has a dual socket universal charger capable of charging the majority of electric vehicles and hybrids. Designed for use on commercial premises, the charger has 2 x 7kw smart charging sockets enabling two vehicles to be charged simultaneously and means visitors and staff to our head office can now plug In while they visit to help top up their car or van for their next journey.

The Rt Hon Claire Perry, MP for Devizes and Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth, was the opening speaker at the North Wiltshire Sustainable Business Conference. T H WHITE was a key sponsor of the event, held at Chippenham Town Hall on 19 October.

Addressing a packed hall, Ms Perry set out the Government’s thinking and targets for addressing climate change and building long-term sustainability in which business will need to play a crucial part.

The just-published IPCC report on climate change stresses that we only have a maximum of 12 years to make fundamental changes before climate change will be irrevocably out of control. An impressive line-up of speakers then showed how a sustainable approach to energy use by business makes sound economic sense.

Paul Allen, representing Zero Carbon Britain and the Centre for Alternative Technology underlined the importance of rapid action and he presented a Zero Carbon manifesto to Claire Perry. Then, citing interesting examples of business leaders who are already implementing sustainable policies, Dr Dominic Tantram – a founding partner of Terrafiniti – explained why a sustainable approach should be regarded as a source of business value rather than a simply a cost of business. Colin Curtis said that if the UN’s goals for sustainable development are met it could halt climate change by 2030, while Dr James Beard from Mott MacDonald spoke of the important CSR implications of sustainable business. Paddy Bradley, director of the Swindon & Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership, explained how local businesses could grow in the low carbon economy. Delegates were able to see technologies on offer from T H WHITE including solar energy, EV charging and battery storage. it is hoped to repeat and develop the conference next year.

Alex Lockton, divisional manager of T H WHITE Energy, Fire & Security, amplifying a point made by Claire Perry.

Did you know that our Energy Division maintains solar parks as well as rooftop solar installations? T H WHITE currently maintains three solar parks in the region, handling everything from electrical testing of AC and DC electrical cables and connections, through to mechanical inspection and repair works, to ensure the systems maintain efficient energy generation throughout their life.

Solar park systems are monitored via 3G or broadband connections and often come with a weather station and pyranometry to monitor the yield and ensure the system is generating at peak performance. The data generated enables us to provide a 7-days-a-week call-out service for clients under contract to ensure systems maintain their generation availability. It also helps us to identify potential improvements to the system over its life as well as spot issues quickly. Solar parks do require regular attention; they are often larger than rooftop installations and sometimes funded by third parties. T H WHITE has installed a number of solar parks but we are also aware of many which were installed by others, often in a rush up to a deadline, after which we have heard from customers about issues requiring repairs or more reliable maintenance.

An area in which we have extensive experience which sets us apart from other solar maintenance companies is in security and CCTV – we have over 25 years in the security industry. When solar parks were built CCTV was often left until last or even overlooked to save money, which is now proving to be a costly mistake for some sites. We offer a full range of technical CCTV solutions which are ideally suited for solar park security including state of the art analytics, PA systems and links to 24/7/365 monitoring to enable fast response on site as a deterrent to potential thieves.

We are happy to review clients’ security arrangements at solar parks and provide a free quote to upgrade or replace CCTV systems should they experience problems.

Our Energy team can also manage solar parks for clients entirely, or work with an existing provider or asset manager to offer them our electrical, security and specialist cleaning services for both planned and reactive maintenance. Please contact our team on energy@thwhite.co.uk or call 01380 726656.

T H WHITE Energy, Fire & Security has been awarded prestigious Carbon Trust Certification which recognises excellence in providing energy technology to businesses, helping them to reduce their overheads and carbon emissions. Specifically, the award results from the company’s extensive experience in providing solar PV for commercial and agricultural premises.

Achievement of the award involved a rigorous technical assessment and means that not only is T H WHITE now recognised officially for its special area of expertise, but it also means the company can offer special funding to clients interested in installing solar PV.

The new funding is called a capital contribution. Qualifying companies can access up to £5,000 towards a solar PV project and can be used in addition to the feed-in tariff. To help clients qualify we can assist with applications provided that they meet specific criteria and are classified under the scheme as an SME.

There are some forms to fill in – we require copies of your energy bills – and the application is then submitted for approval prior to start of works. The capital contribution is paid once you receive a commissioning certificate from us.

If you have a project in mind or one you have been thinking about which didn’t stack up before, then it may be worth looking at the numbers again. Please give us a call on 01380 726656 or email energy@thwhite.co.uk for more information.

T H WHITE is leading the way for ISO 9001 accreditation in our region, being one of the first fire and security companies to achieve NACOSS Fire and Security Gold accreditation under the new revised ISO 9001:2015 quality standards. We are also one of the first companies in the UK to achieve BS5839:1:2017 accreditation for fire protection systems.

The ISO 9000 family of quality management systems standards is designed to help organisations ensure that they meet and exceed the needs of customers and other stakeholders while complying with statutory and regulatory requirements related to a product or service. T H WHITE is now covered under ISO 9001 under the NACOSS GOLD SCHEME: for Intruder, CCTV and Access, and under the NSI Fire Gold Scheme for fire extinguishers.

At T H WHITE we are striving to achieve the very best quality standards in order to make our clients buildings safer greener and more efficient, now and for generations to come. Call us on 01380 726656 or email alarms@thwhite.co.uk.

Maintaining a position at the leading edge of renewable energy and smart technology requires insight and exposure to what can be, at best, a complex supply chain, and at worst a melting pot of mixed concepts, products and services. In the UK we have seen a revolution in the adoption of renewable technology across in all sectors. As the market models change the products continue to advance making them viable and competitive with fossil fuels in many cases with no requirement for subsidy support. In July T H WHITE Energy Fire and Security Division attended the ‘Smarter E’ exhibition in Munich – the world’s largest show of it’s kind to deepen the Division’s insight, stay in touch with new innovation and strengthen partnerships with some of the worlds leading manufacturers.

The event showcased a number of key product areas. Solar PV panel and equipment manufacturers demonstrated resilience and increased efficiency. Five years ago a 60-cell panel would have produced around 180-200wp, whereas they now range from 280-330wp output and at a much lower investment cost. Battery storage solutions were also featured. Tesla remains the most cost-effective per kwp also with the highest power output, but other manufacturers are developing their ranges rapidly and will catch up in the next couple of years. 

E-mobility had changed the most compared to previous shows with the rapid growth of electric vehicles. There were not only chargepoints but also signs of solar companies looking at innovative tie-ins with solar PV. There was also a wide range of e-vehicles to test drive including e-boats, e-motorbikes and e-vans, as well as batteries to adapt existing vehicles.

Back in the present, the biggest takeaways from the show were the continued cost effectiveness and relevance for solar PV as a key part of our UK power generating mix. Our team have many years experience and have built some of the biggest rooftop systems in the UK and now maintain hundreds of systems for clients. Call us on 01380 726656 or email energy@thwhite.co.uk

T H WHITE has always taken a long-term view of the benefits, cost savings and even profits that customers can derive from solar photovoltaic installations. For that reason we have always supplied high quality panels with premium inverters and professionally installed systems.

More to the point, and unlike many companies that have already disappeared, we are in the business for the long term and will be here for many years to come, to supply, install and service your solar PV systems.

Like any other electrical installations, regular checks and maintenance are essential to ensure that solar PV units deliver optimum performance and remain safe in use. It’s obvious that dirt and dust on the panels will reduce the amount of light falling on them and consequently the amount of power generated. In cases where panels are badly soiled this can cost you the savings that the system was expected to give you, as well as your feed-in tariff income. Even in a normal British summer panels are likely to become dusty and impair performance, so T H WHITE can carry out regular cleaning for you using specialist equipment. However, cleaning is just one aspect of our service programme, so what else can you expect?

We have devised a number of service programmes to suit different needs, but on a typical visit the technician will carry out an electrical test and check-up, a yield analysis to determine whether the system is functioning at its best, as well as a fault-finding regime. Where repairs are necessary, these can often be carried out on the spot.

If your system is under warranty we can carry out any necessary replacements or repairs and if the company that installed your system is no longer trading we can take over the maintenance.

Depending on which maintenance package you choose, we can also offer remote monitoring solutions that enable us to keep an eye on your system to ensure it will repay your investment.

Our service packages are a great way to gain peace of mind and get the most out of your solar PV installation. To discuss what’s right for you call us on 01380 726656 or take a look at our website, www.thwhiteenergy.co.uk.

Marshfield Farm, near Pennsylvania north of Bath, has been producing some of the West Country’s most scrumptious ice cream for 30 years. The farm has always been fully organic and is home to over 200 Friesian cows which produce a total of about 4,000 litres of milk a day – or 1.5 million litres per year – around two thirds of which is used to make the award-winning ice cream.

Hundreds of tubs in 30 flavours are produced each day and these are filled at -6 deg C, before being blast frozen to
-25 deg C.

In line with the farm’s sustainable approach, much of the energy required for the freezers is provided by a solar PV system – an ideal set-up as the power demand for refrigeration and the farm’s peak production periods perfectly match the times when the sun is shining brightest! Since the system went live four years ago solar PV has made a significant contribution to managing the farm’s energy costs.

Last year, however, and again in early 2018, our solar maintenance team was called in to rectify some problems with the inverter. The solar PV system had been installed by another business which is no longer trading and so we were delighted to be able to support Marshfield Ice Cream to get their solar generation back in action.

The works included replacement of a SolarMax inverter, which required sourcing from an overseas supplier – something that our team is experienced in – and within a short time we were able to get the system generating again.

T H WHITE also carried out annual maintenance on the affected system and two other systems on site in line with manufacturers’ recommendations to ensure continued operation and peace of mind for the generating year ahead.

In the last few years our solar maintenance team has attended a wide range of sites with cable issues, panel issues, even customers who turned out to have no connected panels or no connection to the grid. Our experience means we are well positioned to support new clients with older systems, as well as our own clients, helping them keep their buildings greener and more efficient for generations.

If you are experiencing problems with a solar PV or biomass installation, or if your solar or biomass system needs servicing or cleaning, we would be delighted to help.

Marshfield Farm is one of the forward-looking businesses that has already
made great progress in producing products with a low carbon footprint, and T H WHITE can help with this in a number of ways. For example, we are now offering electric vehicle chargepoints, not just to Tesla owners but also to anyone with a fully electric or hybrid electric vehicle.

For all enquiries, please contact us on 01380 726656, or just send an email to energy@thwhite.co.uk.

In January we installed a new smart meter at the Energy, Fire and Security HQ in Devizes which monitors both the solar energy we generate and the power we use in real time.

The beauty of the device is that it’s really easy to use. We have connected it to our supply and generation and can view the information on a web portal and on a display in our reception. Now that we can view generation and consumption alongside each other we are able to see just how self-sufficient we are with our new 248kwp system. It is already showing that on many days in the year – even in the winter – we are 100 per cent self-sufficient.

The data is presented in clear, easy-to-understand graphics which show exactly how much power is being generated and used, either from solar or the grid, thus providing a measure of how self-sufficient we are at any time.

These smart meters are now available to all T H WHITE Energy customers – if you are a real expert you can also attach a pyranometer to monitor the available sunlight and compare that to the amount of energy being generated.

The data provided can also build up a picture of what benefit you might be able to obtain from adding a battery to store power for use when you need it. This could help some owners of solar installations to make the transition from being partly self-sufficient to 100 per cent self-sufficient, or at least make better use of solar energy to cut your bills!

We are now able to offer this device to customers who either already have a solar energy installation, or those who are considering either solar or battery solutions for their properties. For a quote based on your specific requirements, please email energy@thwhite.co.uk or call 01380 726656.

December saw the T H WHITE Energy, Fire & Security team installing its first grant-funded electric vehicle charge point where the client was able to claim £500 (inc VAT) towards the installation costs.

The client has a hybrid Volvo car and is about to take ownership of an additional new fully-electric car and so needed an additional electrical charging point which had to be suitable for all makes of car. For this installation we used a single phase home charger from EVOLT, for whom T H WHITE is the main installation partner in our region. This unit charges at 7kw/hour and can provide significant savings versus diesel or petrol fuel. This installation was to a relatively simple specification as it’s for the client’s own use, but if it had been for a business we could offer full back offce support 3G or WiFi solutions which allow you to sell your power to other users or visitors on-site. We can supply and fit electric vehicle chargers from 7kw, up to high capacity superchargers supporting all makes of vehicle for public charging locations.

As reported widely by the media, the UK government is pushing very hard for electric vehicle growth as part of its Low Carbon Infrastructure Plan.

As a result, T H WHITE has been gearing up to provide customers with a full range of solutions from simple single phase home charging points to workplace solutions for your own or staff use, or to sell electricity on a business basis. Call us on 01380 726656, or email energy@thwhite.co.uk.

A question we are often asked is why T H WHITE has grouped Energy, Fire and Security into one Division. Well, the answer is neatly articulated in the Division’s purpose: ‘Helping customers make buildings safer, greener and more efficient for generations.’

Massively increased awareness of the requirement to protect staff, their livelihoods and their working environments – and to do so in a way that is sustainable and efficient – is leading facilities managers and building developers to seek comprehensive and easily managed solutions. In response to this need, T H WHITE’s business is constantly evolving to meet market needs and today provides service contracts covering fire and security systems for facilities management (FM) providers and facilities managers, estate managers and commercial property owners. We now support major FM clients including two local authorities, two police forces and two fire services.

We also have specialists in the newer areas of solar power, electric vehicle charging and battery storage, as well as engineers experienced in the application of the latest technologies to fire and security, as well as the growing important area of CCTV surveillance.

It’s a logical grouping, especially as the key disciplines embraced by the Division involve electrical installations. Supporting that, the Division also supplies and maintains portable fire extinguishers, access systems and security gates and barriers.

The public-facing team which takes pride in looking at every challenge in an individual way and proposing bespoke solutions is led by head of sales Carl Clarke who works with regional representatives Luke Roche and Barry Hemmings.

“As you might imagine, there was a surge is solar energy installations when the government incentives were strong,” says Carl. “Many of our customers have benefited enormously from being able to generate much of the electricity they use as well as receiving payments for feeding energy to the national grid – schemes which will continue for years to come.

“That in itself has brought new challenges as solar panels need to be cleaned regularly and maintained to ensure maximum efficiency. In this respect we have been able to help many solar panel users whose original installers have ceased trading. That’s a real advantage of using a broadlybased company like T H WHITE that has strength and longevity – in fact we have been trading since 1832!

“Despite the reduction of many of the incentives, solar energy installations remain popular but the economics just have to be approached in a different way. Many businesses are able to generate a large proportion of the energy they use, and where there is a surplus we help with high-tech battery installations that can store energy for use at times when the solar panels may not be generating. The latest batteries also make it possible for users to draw energy at times of lower cost – during the night for example – and store it for use at peak times.”

Newest recruit to T H WHITE’s EF&S team is Luke Roche who joined last September. Coming from a background in alarms and security Luke is area sales manager for the South West/Central territory comprising Gloucestershire, Somerset and Oxfordshire.

“Changes to legislation mean that businesses have to carry out more regular fire assessments,” says Luke, “and customers are seeing the benefits of using a single company for fire protection and security. When they discover that T H WHITE has the capability to do so much more for them – including assessments and maintenance – the realise they can fulfil their obligations more easily.”

Barry Hemmings serves clients mainly in areas south of the M4, covering Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset and parts of the West Country. Having been in the industry for over 20 years, he started as an engineer which has given him an understanding of the complexities involved in certain installations.

“At the moment,” Barry observes, “the big growth areas are security and CCTV surveillance systems, but the huge advances in electric vehicle technology mean that vehicle charging systems are rapidly becoming a major part of our business too. More and more we are helping customers to take a holistic view of their infrastructure requirements to provide solutions that are cost-effective and efficient.”

If you would like to find out how the T H WHITE EF&S team can help you, call them direct on these numbers:
Carl Clarke: 07825 960425
Luke Roche: 07833 480212
Barry Hemmings: 07795 503228

September saw the big switch on of our fourth T H WHITE solar system to be installed on one of our own buildings, this time on our new Nursteed Road campus which comprises the buildings which house the Energy Fire and Security, Lorry Cranes and Projects Divisions.

The system was design and constructed by our own solar engineering team using solar panels and inverters from our partners Hanwha Qcells and Fronius respectively.

In total the system uses 928 panels and has a peak output of 248.48kwp, able to generate 232,000 units of electricity a year.

We expect the system to provide enough electricity to make the buildings self-sufficient in some months of the year and overall make a significant dent in our electricity overheads.

The system will save 80 tonnes of carbon a year alone, which is important for our ISO50001 and ESOS energy management accreditation and is part of a range of measures we have incorporated in our renovation of the site. These have included new insulated roof panels, low energy lighting, high efficiency gas boilers, PIR lighting controls, and energy efficiency glazing.

T H WHITE Energy Fire and Security is still an active installer of solar systems and we provide a comprehensive range of solar maintenance and cleaning services. Call us on 01380 726656.

It is widely predicted that over the next 20 years we will see one of the biggest shifts in vehicle technology since the invention of the motor car, with the increased uptake of electric powered vehicles and hybrids. In anticipation of this, our Energy, Fire and Security Division has trained its electricians to install Electric Vehicle (EV) charging equipment.

For Tesla owners we are able to offer installation of their own Tesla chargepoint (pictured), so if you are a current or prospective Tesla car owner in the Wiltshire area, you can find us on the Tesla website.

For commercial clients we can also offer a wider range of EV chargepoints which attract grant funding from the Government backed OLEV grant scheme for electric vehicle chargepoints. These products come in a range of sizes and voltages depending on the type of usage you are planning, right up to high voltage commercial grade fast-charging stations.

If you are interested in an electric vehicle chargepoint for your home or business please contact us on 01380 726656, or email energy@thwhite.co.uk.

The UK now has over 750,000 solar installations and people have witnessed first-hand the stable income and savings they can generate. As the years go by solar panels will continue to generate and like every piece of infrastructure there are times when they need a check up and a clean to keep them functioning at their highest potential.

T H WHITE Energy specialists have been involved in thousands of solar projects and after seeing an increase in demand from customers for maintenance services we have now expanded our activities to include solar panel cleaning.

Our trained staff use specialist cleaning equipment which we have taken time to test and review to ensure it complies with solar panel manufacturers’ warranty requirements. Solar panels come with a 25 year performance guarantee, provided they are operated and used in the correct approved way.

Why clean solar panels?

As part of our annual inspection we undertake a visual inspection of systems and in the first year we recommend checking quarterly to ensure that dust and dirt build up is monitored. Some businesses have very high levels of dust which may mean cleaning the panels more than once a year. Similarly, where panels are installed in a wooded area there may be leaf debris build-up which can also have a negative effect on solar PV performance.

Clients who have had arrays cleaned within the last year have experienced yield increases of more than 10 per cent following the process. We are able to clean all sizes of roof-mounted solar systems except for those on extreme high-rise buildings. We can also clean small to medium ground-mounted systems. Depending on the size of building we can either carry out the work from ground-level, or attached to ‘mansafes’ and harnesses, or via other mechanical access equipment.

If you have a solar PV installation which could benefit from cleaning, all we need to know is the system size and approximate size of the building in order to provide you with a quote. If there are any factors affecting access requiring special equipment we may choose to visit the site in order to give an accurate quote. For more information and advice on the most effective maintenance regime, call T H WHITE on 01380 726656.

Like all infrastructure, solar PV systems will perform at their best and deliver the highest possible yields with regular attention.

An example of factors resulting from lack of maintenance that can have a detrimental effect on solar PV energy panels.

First of all comes safety. Solar PV installations comprise many electrical parts which need to be checked as wear and tear can manifest itself in a number of ways – especially on commercial properties.

Secondly – although it may seem obvious – is the need to keep panels clean. The cleaner the panel, the more power it will generate, and the more panels that are fully operational, the more you will earn. Keeping your software up to date is also likely to bring a number of benefits, not least the continually improving ability to optimise your equipment and monitor its performance.

T H WHITE Energy, Fire & Security can help with all these things. We are able to undertake everything from a basic service in which we check all the components of a system for safety and performance, panel cleaning, monitoring and technical support, grass cutting (especially for solar ‘farms’), drone photography (to check the status of difficult-to-access areas) and install smart meters to check for feasibility of battery systems.

To keep a system functioning at its best we recommend annual servicing. Panel cleaning may need to be carried out more frequently depending on the location as dust or leaf matter can have a strong negative impact on generating capacity, but cleaning should be carried out at least once a year. A client who is a dairy farmer had noticed a drop in his solar energy yields. There was a lot of airborne dust from the dairy operations, but after T H WHITE cleaned the panels there was an immediate leap in generation of more than 15 per cent.

Our monitoring service is a worthwhile add-on as we can often detect potential faults before you do and offer technical support.

One of the problems that has arisen in the solar energy business over recent years is that many suppliers have come and gone. When you commit to a solar installation it’s important to know that the contractor you use will be there for the long term to keep your system performing at its best throughout its life. T H WHITE has been trading since 1832 and is a company that you can count on to be there to support the 25 year guarantee on your panels.

We encountered a situation recently where a customer whose system had been installed by a company no longer trading called us in. His system was in poor condition and the list of faults included damaged cables, panels not connected and inverters not working. After we overhauled his system the customer now has a full complement of operational panels.

T H WHITE Energy, Fire & Security has a dedicated full time technical support and service team. Our team members have installed thousands of solar systems in the last 10 years, including the recent installation of one of the largest rooftop systems in the UK. Apart from judging us by our track record, customers choose us because we are MCS and Safe Contractor- Accredited for solar PV, complying with CDM 2015 standards for safety.

If you would like to ensure that your solar PV installation is performing at its best, we have a range of service packages to suit everyone. For the full details just call us on 01380 726656.

Tesla is renowned for its electric cars which have proved that battery powered vehicles can offer the same type of performance, range and convenience as their petrol and diesel counterparts. Now, the same Tesla advanced battery technology that made it possible can be used to store power in the home or workplace.

T H WHITE is proud to have achieved the standards necessary to become a Certified Tesla Powerwall Installer, which means we can offer customers the opportunity to take advantage of one of the most remarkable battery power systems in the world. Tesla Powerwall has now released the much anticipated Powerwall 2, designed to help customers with solar systems consume more of their solar energy on site.

Benefiting from the incredible technological advances achieved with Tesla automotive products, Powerwall can power your property safely and economically. In fact, Powerwall is the leading weatherproof small scale battery with liquid cooling controls that can maximise battery life and safety.

Until now, a problem facing customers with a solar energy installation has been the inability to store energy when solar panels produce more power than a property needs. The only option was to feed surplus power back to the grid, but now Powerwall enables a homeowner to capture and store the excess power for use at times when the solar panels are not generating. The result is greater selfconsumption of your solar generation and reduced energy costs.

On a practical level, Powerwall 2 can work with a range of inverters and up to nine Powerwall units can be stacked and connected together to increase capacity.

To find out more about this exciting development, or to register your interest, please call 01380 726656 or email energy@thwhite.co.uk.