Alan Johnston, director of Sky Developments (NI) Ltd, said:
Our recently completed ‘GreenHouse’, the first Carbon Zero house in Northern Ireland, has achieved a SAP rating of MINUS 0.18, an EPC ‘A’ rating and Level 6 in the Code for Sustainable Homes. We spent more than two years researching and sourcing the appropriate combination of technologies for this build, and photovoltaic roof tiling is one of the key ingredients in our ultimately successful mix. Energy is efficiently, and discreetly, generated by the PV tiles, and we have exploited other technological innovations, including SIP (Structural Insulated Panel) construction, an air source heat pump, and a heat recovery and ventilation system, to ensure that it is effectively used.

We are, of course, building solar PV technology into our current project, a development of forty energy efficient apartments for the affordable housing market, where its clean and sustainable energy generation will help protect a vulnerable sector from the hardship caused by the escalating price of fossil fuels.

Alan Rea, Director of Housing, BIH Housing Association said:
“We installed our first 19 kWp solar roof in March 2007 which was completed within five days. The system’s performance has exceeded our expectations, generating over 20,200 kWh of clean electricity during the first full year of operation.
The project motivated our team on site to embark on additional energy efficiency measures including the installation of energy efficient lighting and staff awareness training which provided a further 20%
saving in energy consumption. Such is our confidence in solar technology, we installed a further 19 kWp solar roof in March 2008 and now consider solar alongside all re-roofing programmes.
With realistic policies, we could imagine significant increases in the use of this powerful renewable technology. The low rate of export tariffs is completely at odds with the real value of carbon-free electricity compared with carbon-dense grid-supply. A feed-in-tariff should recognise this value, thereby ensuring a bright future for this proven technology.”

Marie Wilson, Regional Development Manager for ESHA Developments said:
“ESHA Developments has identified the C21 system as the most cost effective way to meet level three of the Code for Sustainable Homes whilst simultaneously improving the quality of life for residents in the development by alleviating fuel poverty and protecting them from inevitable energy price rises. It’s a system that’s proved very effective.”

Julia Potter, Head of Housing and Property Services at East Hampshire District Council said:
“Solar PV technology is great for affordable housing as it’s simple and easy to use and contributes to the prevention of fuel poverty through delivery of cheaper energy bills.”

Andy Berridge, Regional Development Director for Home said:
“My team have got the balance just right between creating homes that boast high levels of sustainability without compromising on the picturesque rural surroundings of the village. Both Home and our residents will make huge savings on electricity bills through our joint commitment to renewable energy.”

Craig Jackson, South Yorkshire Housing Association said:
“Using photovoltaics to generate electricity is one of the simplest ways to implement renewable energy sources. The ‘fit and forget’ low maintenance requirements of solar PV roof tiles contribute to their simplicity, while the clean energy that is being produced is a key tool in the marketing of new homes, as householders are protected against energy price rises.”

Grahame Hindes, Chief Executive of Octavia Housing Association said:
“We believe that housing is as much about people as it is buildings. We strive for excellent social care and with our own PV system we wanted to set an example of positive environmental practice, a vital element of such care. We were looking for the most effective and low maintenance way to cut carbon emissions, with PV being pretty much “fit.and forget” we went for it” He adds: “PV technology is possibly the simplest and most viable way to harness the financial and environmental benefits of on-site renewable energy.”

Julia Craik, General Manager, The Premises said:
“Solar PV is a fantastic, reliable technology to fight climate change. We speak from experience as we have our own solar powered, state of the art recording studio here in East London. Since 2005 we’ve worked with musicians such as Lily Allen, Klaxons, Hot Chip and Beth Orton in our carbon neutral studio using electricity from our photovoltaic system and our artists are very proud to be using intelligent energy for music production. It’s astonishing that the potential of the technology has not been recognised in the UK. Together with energy efficiency, we should see PV on every possible roof top!”

Neal’s Yard Remedies, Dorset,

Neal’s Yard Remedies fully supports this campaign to promote solar power. Having installed a solar system at our eco-headquarters at Peacemarsh, Dorset in 2008, we’re convinced that solar power, from large-scale to home systems, will play a vital role in achieving the UK’s renewable energy targets.