A 30.015kWp rooftop solar PV and battery system has been installed at Donegall Pass Community Centre in Belfast, with the project forecast to produce 21,371kWh of clean electricity annually and save the council around £7,000 a year.

Solmatix has completed the large-scale solar and storage scheme at the south Belfast facility.

The array comprises 69 high-efficiency 435W panels, paired with a hybrid inverter and integrated battery storage. Designed, installed and commissioned by Solmatix, the system is intended to maximise on-site generation and enable the centre to use more of its own power when needed.

Enhanced monitoring technology allows performance to be tracked down to individual panel level, helping the centre quickly identify any maintenance or performance issues.

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The initiative supports the direction set by Belfast's Net-Zero Carbon Roadmap and Local Area Energy Plan, which prioritise the decarbonisation of buildings alongside the development of a resilient, affordable, low‑carbon energy system for the city.

Since going live earlier this year, Belfast City Council reports the community hub has been effectively 'off-grid' for over 80% of the time during the first three months. The installation is expected to cut emissions by an estimated 13 tonnes of CO2e each year. The centre will also serve as a pilot to assess the wider rollout of rooftop solar across the council estate.

Delivering the project within an active community venue required careful coordination between Solmatix, the centre's management team and other partners. The organisation handled the full scope of works, including technical design, equipment supply, rooftop installation, electrical works, battery integration, monitoring, testing and commissioning.

The rooftop layout has been optimised for the available south-facing area, arranging the 69 panels to maximise output while meeting the building’s technical and safety requirements.

A generation display provides users and visitors with a visible record of renewable electricity produced. Additional controls will help the centre prioritise productive use of available solar energy, while the monitoring platform offers greater oversight of performance.