Location: Stawell, Somersett

Date: September 2009

Catogory: New build housing

Overview:

The Old Apple Store is a pioneering five property development by house builder Ecos Homes; the first Level 5 Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) commercial project in the UK.

The three terraced and two detached properties have been built to a high specification, with particular emphasis on reducing the environmental impact of the properties’ life
cycle. Southern Solar worked with the developers to design and install solar electric and solar hot water systems for all five properties. Wood pellet stoves and state of the art building materials mean that these houses will provide healthy living spaces with low electricity and heating bills for years to come.

Our solution:

Southern Solar became involved with the project at the initial stages and managed a successful application for grant funding. Design assistance was given to ensure good aesthetics as well as full compliance with the CSH standards. The five houses required both solar hot water and solar electric to meet CSH Level 5. Southern Solar installed roof integrated panels on the pitched roofs, while on the flat single-ply membrane roofs an innovative framing system was used to hold the solar electric panels. The pipework and cabling was hidden within the fabric of the building and monitoring displays were provided for the new owners. Southern Solar worked closely with Ecos Homes throughout the project to ensure a smooth, successful installation.

Facts:

• First CSH level 5 commercial build in UK

• Sharp 170W electric panels and five flat plate solar hot water systems

• Estimated annual output of 18,553kWh

• Properties marketed at a premium with green credentials.

• 50% LCBP phase 2 funded