Aberdare sits at the upper end of the Cynon Valley in Rhondda Cynon Taf. CF44 is a significant domestic solar catchment covering Aberdare town, Mountain Ash at the lower valley, and Hirwaun on the upland plateau.
Aberdare town terraces
Aberdare town centre carries Victorian coal-era terrace housing on the valley floor. The CF44 valley floor yield baseline is 942 to 945 kWh/kWp. SolarEdge panel-level optimisation is FLD’s standard for Aberdare valley-floor terraces, recovering 10% to 15% of annual generation compared with string baseline — worth approximately £105 to £160 per year at 28p/kWh.
A 4 kWp SolarEdge installation on an Aberdare terrace at effective 943 kWh/kWp generates approximately 3,772 kWh annually. At 37% self-consumption, year-one benefit: approximately £695. On £7,100 installed cost, payback: 10.2 years.
Mountain Ash semi-detached
Mountain Ash (Aberpennar) sits lower in the Cynon Valley where inter-row shading is less severe. The CF45 yield at approximately 945 kWh/kWp. A 4.5 kWp south-facing Mountain Ash semi at 945 kWh/kWp generates 4,253 kWh annually. At 40% self-consumption, year-one benefit: approximately £763. On £7,600 installed cost, payback: 9.9 years.
Hirwaun plateau
Hirwaun at the head of the Cynon Valley, approximately 280 metres above sea level, benefits from open sky exposure — the inter-row and horizon shading that constrains the valley floor is absent. Standard string inverter specification is appropriate for well-oriented unshaded Hirwaun properties. Yield: 945 to 950 kWh/kWp.
Battery and grid resilience
Hirwaun and the upper valley communities value battery storage for grid resilience reasons as well as energy economics. FLD specifies blackout-rated batteries as default for all upper CF44 and Hirwaun properties.
Getting an Aberdare survey
FLD is 40 minutes from Aberdare. We combine CF44 domestic surveys with the Hirwaun Industrial Estate visits. Call Paul on 01792 680611.
