Hudson Advisors Student Accommodation Portfolio

Building Size: Whole Portfolio

Location: Across the UK

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Overview

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Following the completion of the portfolio technology audits, Trustek were appointed to run a competitive tender process to explore the installation of solar panels across the PBSA assets recently acquired by Hudson Advisors.

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The Process

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Across the portfolio, there were numerous challenges with regard to rooftop access, energy demands, and the potential disruption to residents within each building during any installation programme. Using the data collected during the audit phase, combined with the detailed knowledge of each site — including meter counts and energy consumption profiles — Trustek was able to produce a comprehensive RFP, which was issued to the market to competitively tender a solar partner package.

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Through a structured evaluation process, Trustek identified a core partner capable of supporting not only the planning and grid application process, roof access, and scaffolding requirements, but also the delivery of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) across the portfolio at a competitive rate.

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This enabled a clear like-for-like price comparison between two distinct options: a capital-funded project, and a Power Purchase Agreement whereby the solar provider funds and delivers the implementation across the portfolio. Presenting both options in parallel allowed Hudson Advisors to make a fully informed commercial decision based on their business plan objectives.

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With challenges including curved rooftops and more than 90 individual roof sections within a single asset, Trustek was able to identify the buildings that represented the highest priority and greatest value, ensuring these were prioritised within the procurement process.

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The Value

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The outcome of the project saw Trustek secure a single nationwide solar provider, agree a competitive PPA, and identify and remove from scope any building where solar installation was not financially viable within Hudson Advisors' asset plan.

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By leveraging a single solar partner across the portfolio, Hudson Advisors achieved significant cost savings in relation to implementation, while also benefiting from a centralised, coordinated programme of works across the nine identified sites selected for solar installation.

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The value of installing solar across the portfolio extended well beyond cost reduction. Whilst lowering energy costs has a direct and measurable impact on the net operating income of each building, the installation of a solar array also generates sustainable renewable energy and future-proofs the asset. For institutional investors, solar infrastructure is increasingly viewed as a high priority in supporting the ESG and green credentials of any development or acquisition — making this a strategically important element of the repositioning programme.

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Image source: Vladimir Srajber, Pexels