Introduction
Renewable energy from the sun can mean the electricity generated from daylight (Solar PV) or the sun's heat collected to heat water and provide heating systems (Solar Thermal). The third aspect of solar renewable energy is that of Passive Solar, or incorporating state of the art design into new buildings to both maximise solar gain and to minimise heat loss. This section covers solar thermal, solar PV and passive solar. Householders wanting advice and information on installing solar technologies including available grant funding should visit the Energy Saving Trust website at www.est.org.uk
Focus South West
The UK has a relatively low exploitable solar resource compared with other countries with an average annual solar insolation figure of 40kWh/m2day compared to 65 kWh/m2day in Madrid. However, the South West receives the highest levels of solar radiation in the UK – up to 1300kWh/m2 on a solar collector inclined at 30º facing due South, compared to only 900 kWh/m2 in Scotland. By tilting a surface to an angle, the amount of solar radiation falling on it will be greater than that falling on a flat surface in this country. Fortunately, the average tilt of a UK house roof is about the optimum for receiving solar energy in the UK.
Projects include:
- The Centre for Sustainable Energy’s Pitching for Solar scheme - 12 campsites across the South West are now enjoying solar-heated showers. The project provided a £2000 grant to each of the 12 sites in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall that offered the most potential for system performance and awareness-raising among visitors. The funding for the project came from SWEB Energy's Green Fund and Somerset County Council, with many of the owners also being eligible for the Government's Clear Skies grant.
- Westlea Housing Association was awarded government 'Clear-Skies' funding for the installation of solar systems for four blocks of flats in Wiltshire, which will fund 50 per cent of the overall costs. The project involved the installation of solar water heating systems on 98 flats. The solar systems will produce up to 70 per cent of hot water.
- The SPIRE project is a highly visible 56 kW solar PV on Barnstaple Civic Centre. It is the first large-scale PV installation in Devon and the first of its kind on a public building in the southwest. The scheme allows intelligent shading of the building to reduce overheating in summer, while allowing solar gains from the low winter sun to be of continued benefit.
- Ashley Vale Action Group developed a brownfield site in Bristol for housing/office/workshop/community space with solar PV. The technology was self-installed. The group provided local PV training and they are involved in government research on PV performance.
