Solar power

Design aim: groundhouse is zero carbon producing more electricity than consumed

• 14 solar electric panels with a large capacity of 2.3kw per hour generate an expected annual surplus of power and an annual income from selling back to the national grid at a premium
• Designed down power consumption using most energy efficient appliances and lighting
• Solar hot water preheating

The main electrics are conventional and the work was delivered and certified by electricians Berthier Elec.  We put in a 2 way connection to the national grid and secured a beneficial feeder tariff from EDF the power company.  There are no expensive batteries to buy in and maintain and our grid connection means we need no backup power supply. However the home is designed to generate more power than it consumes and each year we will invoice the power company for the metered power we have fed to the grid whilst achieving a zerocarbon build.  The 14 sharp solar panels and sunnyboy invertor where specified and supplied by British Gas and Solar Technologies.

For minimum impact and running costs, all electric appliances are selected for ultra energy efficiency.  We chose AEG electrolux appliances because of their low energy consumption rating.  Lighting design was supported by ecological lighting designers Luminair.  Lighting is mainly based on energy efficient compact fluoresent lights from Megaman .  As well as being energy efficient, the company uses no mercury in manufacturing.  For the kitchen and hallways we have installed ultra efficient bespoke LED pendant lighting from Luminair.  These ‘drop’ lights are made from sustainably grown back walnut with LED technology to provide ultra low consumption and a spot lighting effect.  Use of the top up electric water heating in the Akvaterm thermal store is minimised by daily water heating off the roof.