Britain’s first zero-carbon homes are powered by the sun and warmed up by YOUR body – but a three-bed costs £800,000
BRITAIN’S first zero-carbon homes are being built – and they look like something from a sci-fi movie. These eco-friendly houses are powered entirely by electricity, generated from solar panels around the property. This solar juice can be stored in a battery or used as it’s generated. And there’s also a mechanical ventilation system, as well […]
BRITAIN’S first zero-carbon homes are being built – and they look like something from a sci-fi movie.
These eco-friendly houses are powered entirely by electricity, generated from solar panels around the property.
This solar juice can be stored in a battery or used as it’s generated.
And there’s also a mechanical ventilation system, as well as mini heat pumps to generate the heating and hot water on-site.
Importantly, the houses are designed to require minimal heating or cooling in the first place.
The so-called “Passivhaus” design – developed in Germany – uses passive heat sources like the Sun, human occupants and household appliances to cover a large part of the heating demand.
They also feature advanced ventilation systems, ensuring that temperatures inside the building don’t exceed 25C for more than 10% of hours annually.
Part of the cooling design includes avoiding east- or west-facing windows, window shading, and protective insulation.
“We think is the first development of zero-carbon, net zero-energy houses in the country,” said Ian Pritchess, of Ssassy Property, speaking to Triangle News.
“Our houses are all electric and generate electricity from PV photo-voltaic panels, which can be stored in a battery or used as it is generated.
“We combine this with mechanical ventilation with heat recovery and mini heat pumps to generate the heating and hot water.”
There are 25 eco-friendly homes currently being built in Southmoor, near Abingdon, Oxon.
Buyers are able to choose different floor layouts, kitchens and bathrooms.
One new-build three bedroom detached home is on the market for £801,000, with a custom build available to suit your own spec.
And they’re in high demand: just eight of the 16 custom-built plots are still on the market.
Ian thinks the Government should do more to promote the construction of this type of housing.
“Unfortunately, the Government relaxed the proposed 2016 zero-carbon targets after being lobbied by housebuilders,” he explained.
“At present, the main housebuilding corporations control the land and only build at the rate they are sure will sell, maintaining the UK’s housing shortage so that the normal rules of ‘supply and demand’ don’t apply.
“When there is a shortage of housing, buyers have to purchase what is available rather than what they might want.
How do solar panels work?
Here's what you need to know...
- Solar panels are a method of generating electricity, which can be used or stored for later
- A panel is made up of many smaller units called PV (photovoltaic) cells
- These cells linked together make up a solar panel
- The cells are typically two pieces of silicon stacked on top of each other
- Each slice of silicon has oppositely charged – one positive and one negative
- This creates an electrical junction between the layers
- Then when photons from sunlight knocks an electron free from an atom, the electric field pushes that electron out of the silicon junction
- Either side of the cell are metal conductive plates that collect the electrons, and then transfer them to wires
- And from there, the electrons can be used just like any other type of electricity
“In any sensible society, we would expect the planning system to actively encourage zero-carbon houses, and be tough on anyone failing to deliver the necessary standard.
“Instead, we have a planning system that focuses on other issues such as numbers of bedrooms, garden sizes, and parking places.
“These are important issues, but they pale into insignificance compared to the catastrophic implications of climate change.
“The planning process could be the answer to the problem if only someone had the sense to make real sustainability part of the process.”
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