At Centre 81 – a community organization supporting disabled and disadvantaged adults in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk – solar energy is now helping sustain essential care services. By installing a 60 kWp rooftop PV system using 96 AIKO COMET 625 Wp modules, the charity has significantly reduced its electricity bills while strengthening long-term energy resilience.
Solar for Survival — Not Just Sustainability
Rising operational costs were placing pressure on Centre 81’s grant-funded model. For Chief Executive Alison Holmes, going solar was a practical strategy to protect core services, not just cut carbon:
“As a medium sized charity with 58 employees we earn through traded income balanced with grant income. The energy saving we are receiving is money I do not have to find somewhere else — it allows me to focus on running the business rather than bidding for grant money,” explains Alison Holmes.
Delivered by Barrington Solar and financed through a UK grant scheme, the installation was tailored to:
Reduce annual operating costs
Boost energy self-reliance via on-site generation and battery storage
Advance the charity’s environmental commitments
Getting More from Every Module
With heavy daytime usage and an east–west roof layout, Centre 81 needed high-efficiency modules that could perform even in non-optimal orientations. AIKO’s N-Type ABC modules were chosen for their best-in-class output per square meter and their full-black aesthetic — well suited to a prominent community-facing building.
“The AIKO modules stood out in terms of efficiency. On a good day they’re delivering over 100% of our energy use.” says Alison Holmes.
In the first month alone, the system generated 4,63 MWh — covering 63% of Centre 81’s energy needs and exporting surplus power back to the grid.
Performance That Pays Back Faster
Compared with a conventional TopCon design, the AIKO ABC system delivered:
+5,0 % more installed capacity (60 kWp vs. 57,12 kWp) in the same roof area
+7,1 % uplift in clean energy revenue, worth an additional £733/year
£21.986 extra lifetime revenue (30-year projection)
A payback period shortened by six months
In real terms, Centre 81 now saves an estimated £12.000 per year on electricity costs — funding that can be redirected to frontline community services.
Built for Resilience
To safeguard operations against future energy price shocks, the system includes hybrid inverters and batteries, helping Centre 81 rely less on the grid and operate with more certainty.
“The modules are black and smart — a real enhancement to our building, and a step closer to a more sustainable future,” Alison Holmes adds. “We are very satisfied with the performance of the AIKO modules — this has become part of our daily reporting. With such direct savings, it’s a thing to celebrate!”
Installer Sebastian Everett of Barrington Solar highlights why technology choice matters:
“For a charity like Centre 81, performance and trust were equally critical. AIKO’s modules allowed us to maximize generation within limited roof space while giving the client long-term reliability.”
Powering Positive Change
Centre 81’s solar project demonstrates how clean energy can deliver environmental, financial, and social value — sustaining vital human services as well as reducing emissions. By choosing high-performance technology with purpose, this installation shows how every kilowatt can count toward a more equitable, low-carbon future.
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