Solar PV and battery storage are becoming more common across North Wales. Businesses, farms, public-sector buildings and commercial property owners are using renewable energy to reduce grid demand, manage operating costs and support decarbonisation plans.
The safety requirements are significant. Solar panels and batteries must be designed as part of the wider electrical installation. Consider the building, the site layout, fire strategy, emergency access, existing distribution equipment and future loads such as EV chargers.
This guide explains the key points for commercial properties in Conwy and Denbighshire.
Local solar and battery-storage activity
Several large renewable-energy proposals have placed Conwy and Denbighshire at the centre of North Wales energy discussions.
The proposed Bodelwyddan Solar and Energy Storage project is located on the boundary of Conwy and Denbighshire. The developer describes a proposed solar PV and battery-storage scheme with up to 110MW capacity. The solar site and proposed battery site would be connected to the National Grid.
The project remains in development. It is not a completed commercial installation. Planning, consultation, environmental assessment and detailed design remain important parts of the process.
The proposed Alwen Forest project also includes renewable generation, a grid connection and battery energy storage. The project covers land in both Conwy and Denbighshire. RWE states that the plans have been approved by Welsh Government, but the project is still described as being in development.
There is also a smaller-scale local-energy trend. In January 2025, the Welsh Government announced funding for community projects involving solar PV, battery storage and EV charging. The published list included a Denbighshire County Council transport-depot project and a project at St Asaph Cathedral. The announcement relates to funded projects and planned delivery. It should not be treated as confirmation that every listed installation is complete.
This distinction matters. A proposal, a funded project and a completed installation have different design, inspection and operational requirements.
Start with a professional electrical assessment
Do not add batteries to an existing commercial property without an electrical assessment.
A battery-storage system can change how electricity flows through a site. It may charge from the grid or solar array, discharge to building loads and export energy under certain operating conditions. The system can also continue supplying circuits when the grid connection is unavailable, depending on its design.
Before work starts, assess:
- The incoming supply and maximum demand.
- The condition and capacity of the main distribution board.
- Existing cables, switchgear and protective devices.
- Earthing and bonding arrangements.
- Available fault current.
- Existing solar PV and inverter capacity.
- Generator, UPS or other backup systems.
- Planned EV chargers and future electrical loads.
- Space for isolation, maintenance and emergency access.
- The condition of the building and proposed equipment location.
An assessment may identify the need for new switchgear, upgraded cabling, additional protection or changes to the connection arrangement.
It can also prevent an unsuitable battery system from being installed on an already overloaded or outdated electrical infrastructure.
Use a qualified contractor for the assessment. Dragon provides commercial electrical services, including installation, inspection, testing and maintenance support.
Design isolation and protection correctly
Every system should have clear and accessible methods of isolation.
Designers should consider separate isolation for:
- The incoming electrical supply.
- Solar PV circuits.
- Battery inverters and battery circuits.
- EV charging equipment.
- Associated control and monitoring equipment.
- Emergency systems that must remain operational.
Label each isolator clearly. Make sure authorised staff and emergency responders can identify the equipment quickly.
Protection must be coordinated across the installation. Solar PV, battery inverters and the grid can all contribute to electrical energy within the system. Protective devices must operate correctly during overloads, short circuits and other faults.
The design should also prevent unwanted back-feeding into an isolated section. Include suitable interlocks and control arrangements where required.
Apply the current requirements of BS 7671 and any relevant product, connection and fire-safety guidance. Use the latest applicable edition and amendments at the time of design and installation. A competent electrical designer should confirm the exact requirements for the system.
Select the battery location carefully
Battery location affects electrical safety, fire risk, maintenance and emergency response.
Outdoor installation may be suitable for some commercial battery storage systems. Use an enclosure designed for the equipment and the site conditions. Protect it from vehicle impact, flooding, unauthorised access and damage from weather.
For indoor systems, consider:
- Fire separation from occupied areas.
- The use of a dedicated room.
- Ventilation to a safe external location.
- Heat generated during normal operation.
- Access for inspection and replacement.
- Cable routes and penetrations.
- Escape routes and emergency access.
- The proximity of combustible materials.
- The effect of a battery incident on the rest of the building.
Do not place batteries in unsuitable storage areas, plant rooms or escape routes without a documented design assessment.
Maintain clear space around cabinets and equipment. Do not allow stock, packaging, waste or vegetation to build up beside an outdoor battery enclosure.
Address ventilation and thermal risk
Battery systems require monitoring and thermal management.
The battery management system should identify abnormal temperature, voltage and operating conditions. It should support safe shutdown and isolation when a fault is detected.
Depending on the technology and design, additional systems may include:
- Smoke detection.
- Heat detection.
- Gas or off-gas detection.
- Temperature monitoring.
- Automatic ventilation.
- Alarm transmission.
- Remote shutdown.
- Fire-resistant separation.
- Explosion or deflagration protection.
Do not assume that one detection method will prevent every battery incident. The National Fire Chiefs Council guidance for grid-scale energy storage stresses the need for site-specific risk management, emergency planning, access and accurate information for fire and rescue services.
The Health and Safety Executive guidance on battery energy storage systems also highlights duties under the Electricity at Work Regulations, the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations and wider health and safety legislation.
The correct fire strategy depends on the battery chemistry, enclosure, capacity, location and manufacturer’s instructions. Do not select suppression or ventilation equipment based on assumptions from a different system.
Plan access and emergency response
Make emergency information available at the site.
Provide:
- A current site plan.
- Battery locations and capacities.
- Electrical isolator locations.
- Solar PV and EV charger locations.
- Access routes and gates.
- Fire detection and alarm information.
- Emergency contact details.
- Drainage and runoff information.
- Details of fire protection systems.
- Manufacturer and maintenance information.
Keep access routes clear. Consider how fire and rescue crews will approach the site without passing through a potential vapour or gas cloud.
For larger systems, engage with the local fire and rescue service during planning and design. The HSE BESS guidance provides information about notifying fire and rescue services in certain circumstances, including sites holding 25 tonnes or more of dangerous substances.
Ask a competent fire-safety professional to prepare or review the fire strategy. Coordinate it with the building’s existing fire risk assessment.
Integrate EV chargers safely
Commercial EV charger installation is often considered alongside solar PV and battery storage.
A coordinated system may use solar energy to support vehicle charging, with the battery helping to manage peak demand. However, the arrangement must be designed around the available supply and the property’s operating requirements.
Check:
- The total charging load.
- Diversity and demand management.
- Cable routes and protective devices.
- Earthing and bonding.
- Residual-current protection.
- Isolation and emergency shutdown.
- The effect on the main distribution board.
- The interaction between chargers, solar and battery controls.
- The location of chargers in relation to buildings and fire access.
Avoid adding chargers one at a time without reviewing the whole installation. A site that can support two chargers may need significant upgrades before supporting ten.
Dragon provides EV charging solutions, including installation, maintenance and ongoing support for commercial clients.
Inspect, test and maintain the system
Commissioning is only the start of the system’s working life.
Arrange planned inspection and maintenance for:
- Battery cabinets and enclosures.
- Inverters and switchgear.
- Protective devices.
- Isolation equipment.
- Earthing and bonding.
- Ventilation and cooling.
- Detection and alarm systems.
- Battery management systems.
- Remote monitoring connections.
- Solar PV arrays and cabling.
- EV chargers and load-management equipment.
- Emergency signage and access routes.
Review the system after changes to the building, electrical load or operating schedule. Reassess the design if you add machinery, refrigeration, heat pumps, additional solar panels or more EV chargers.
Keep records of inspections, faults, repairs, test results and software or control-system changes. These records support compliance, maintenance planning, insurance discussions and emergency response.
Dragon delivers electrical testing services for commercial and industrial premises. Our work can support periodic inspection, fault finding, compliance documentation and planned preventative maintenance.
Choose a complete design and support service
Solar PV and battery storage can provide practical benefits for businesses and public buildings. The system must be matched to the property, the electrical supply and the risks of the site.
Use a competent commercial electrician to:
- Assess the existing installation.
- Review the proposed battery and inverter system.
- Design isolation and protection.
- Coordinate solar, storage and EV charging.
- Review ventilation and fire-safety requirements.
- Commission and test the installation.
- Provide clear records.
- Maintain the system after handover.
Dragon is a North Wales commercial electrician supporting businesses, farms, public-sector sites and property owners across Conwy, Denbighshire and beyond.
For solar PV installation North Wales, battery storage systems, EV charger installation North Wales, commercial electrical work or electrical testing services, call Dragon Security & Electrical Ltd on 01492 330330 or contact our team.