House builder, Chase Green Developments, has decided to use roof integrated Redland solar PV tiles in order to satisfy planning requirements for a 20 percent offset in CO2 emissions on its new-build site of three houses and 33 apartments in North London.
In total, 132 solar PV tiles were installed across the site with a total capacity of 11.88kWp. Chase Green Director, Richard Lotherington, says: “We needed a solution to satisfy the sustainable element of the Building Regulations and installing solar PV technology from Redland was the best way to do this. What has impressed me most is how aesthetically pleasing the completed roofs are. The PV tiles fit flush with surrounding slates, so from street level you hardly notice them.”
Lotherington adds: “Having both the traditional roof and solar PV elements from the one manufacturer and installed by the same contractor really makes a difference. It meant the programme ran smoothly and reduces the risk of roofs leaking in the future, something we really don’t want to happen.”
James Robinson, Senior Estimator at Steadfast Roofing Ltd, the contractor chosen to install the solar arrays, comments: “This project has gone really well and run to schedule. We particularly like using Redland Solar PV Tile for new builds as it is easy and quick for our roofers to lay. Also, as it’s installed exclusively with Redland slates or tiles, it means weather-tightness is not an issue.”
The development will be fully complete in June 2012 and is already being marketed. Prospective buyers are showing a keen interest in the solar PV technology, a trend Lotherington believes will increase. “Sustainability is starting to work its way into the home-buyers consciousness and it’s inevitable that our future developments will need to cater for this demand. Moving forward we will definitely consider using Redland solar PV technology again.”
Redland will be exhibiting its complete range of solar PV products at this year’s Ecobuild exhibition on March 20 – 22 at stand N3450.
