subject: Solar Power On Increase For Housing Associations & Local Authorities [print this page] Solar Power On Increase For Housing Associations & Local Authorities
Solar Power On Increase For Housing Associations & Local Authorities
Clean,quiet and environmentally friendly, photovoltaic solar panels are increasingly being specified for installation on housing association and local authority projects. They not only help tackle the challenge of climate change but offer a cost-effective way to meet the ever-increasing sustainability levels demanded for both new and existing homes.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) is a simple renewable energy system where solar cells are used to convert sunlight into solar electricity. These cells consist of thin layers of a semi-conducting material, usually silicon, which generates an electric charge when exposed to daylight.
Photovoltaic panels (Navitron.org.uk & Mapenvironmental.co.uk) can be tailored to meet specific requirements, with installation seamlessly assimilated into new build or renovation programmes. PV panels come in various forms, and using solar PV roof tiles (SolarTiles.co.uk) or roof integration systems (Ubbink.co.uk), may be mounted on top of conventional roofing materials or integrated directly into the fabric of the building without taking up internal space.
When it comes to maintenance, although the solar panels should be cleaned periodically for best performance, the rain does the majority of the work because the solar panels are at an angle so get washed' naturally.
A key benefit of solar power systems is that they provide a predictable and reliable means of achieving the CO2 savings required to meet Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 and are expected to be adopted widely on properties designed to Code Level 4 and above.
For housing associations, embracing renewable solar energy technology makes a great deal of sense as it not only helps meet planning conditions requiring a percentage of the building's CO2 emissions to be offset using renewable technologies, but is also in line with Government sustainability goals. Equally importantly, they offer attractive income potential through the Government's new feed-in tariff.
The feed-in tariff or Clean Energy Cashback Scheme' was implemented in April 2010 and provides the financial incentives to make small-scale renewable solar electricity generation cost effective, easy and mainstream.
