CUSTOMER:
Five Villages Home Association
PROJECT:
Energy & Sustainability

Powering Sustainable Living for Older Residents

Five Villages Home Association in Icklesham, East Sussex, is dedicated to providing safe, affordable, and independent living for people aged 60 and over. With several self-contained flats and communal areas designed to foster social interaction, the development balances comfort, cost-efficiency, and environmental responsibility. Seeking to futureproof their energy use while benefitting residents financially, Five Villages partnered with DMA Group to embark on a sustainable energy transformation.

The Challenge

Five Villages identified a need to reduce energy consumption in its communal areas to improve the development’s sustainability and lessen the impact of rising utility costs. The goal was twofold:

  • Reduce environmental impact by cutting carbon emissions

  • Generate financial savings to be passed on to residents in the form of reduced service fees*

This presented a unique challenge—achieving long-term sustainability without disrupting resident comfort or the high quality of service for which the organisation is known.

The Solution

DMA Group, led by Energy Services Director Kevin Mcguane, developed a comprehensive renewable energy strategy. This began with a thorough analysis of Five Villages’ historical energy consumption, laying the groundwork for a solution built around two core technologies:

  • 87 advanced solar PV panels installed in phases across two buildings

  • Two Tesla Powerwall batteries capable of storing up to 81kWh of surplus energy

The panels began operation on 13th March 2024, and the battery systems were installed on 3rd October 2024. The combination of solar generation and battery storage ensured a high level of self-sufficiency and flexibility, especially during periods of low sunlight or peak demand.

The Outcome

The impact of the initiative has been significant:

  • 38.1MWh of solar energy generated

  • 16.2MWh exported to the grid

  • A 60% reduction in grid dependence, with 80% of remaining usage occurring at night

  • 27 tonnes of CO₂ saved, equivalent to planting 456 trees

  • 1.9MWh of battery-stored energy exported back to the grid

  • On some days, energy imports fell as low as 6%, even in winter

A year-on-year comparison highlights the success of the initiative:

  • In 2023, electricity usage stood at 59,124.76kWh

  • In 2024, only 36,200kWh was imported

  • This represents a saving of 20,500kWh, equating to £5,070.15

Further savings are expected as the battery storage benefits continue to unfold in the months ahead.

On certain days, solar panels generated more than three times the development’s needs, eliminating grid reliance completely and cutting CO₂ emissions by 166kg in a single day.

*Note: Each flat has its own electricity supply, separate from the PV and battery system.

”Working with Kevin Mcguane from the presentation to the board members to the solar panels being installed went very smoothly. We were very impressed with the works from the scaffolders to the installation team and the works being completed on time as per the installation programme supplied. Kevin explained the Enphase portal showing the imported, produced and consumption of the energy used. We are reassured that the solar panels are going to help us going forward to an eco-friendlier future.

Barbara FordGeneral Manager of Five Villages