Integrated Solar PV Solutions: central to low carbon heating in social housing

The UK’s net zero strategy that includes ambitious carbon reduction targets in both the new Part L and the Future Homes Standard, as well as the recent announcement of the Government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy, and the associated £800 million Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, means the spotlight is on those responsible for ensuring improved energy performance in the nation’s homes, discusses Stuart Nicholson, Roof Systems Director at Marley. 

Targets are clear. All new homes are expected to produce 31% lower carbon emissions from 2022 as part of changes to Part L of the Building Regulations.

Playing a significant role in delivering a more sustainable future will be the decisions made by local authorities and social housing providers by incorporating energy saving technologies into new properties and refurbishment projects.  The current energy cost crisis emphasises the urgent need to provide income-poor tenants with access to alternative and cheaper heat and power.

With looming deadlines, in the short-term, the selection of solar PV solutions on the roof, combined with an efficient gas boiler appears to be the easiest and most cost-effective way to meet the new Part L targets. PV technology is tried and tested, readily available, and has become much more affordable over recent times.

Under the Future Homes Standard, it is anticipated all new homes will have heat pumps as the primary heating system but this will need to go together with greater uptake of solar PV solutions to ensure running costs are kept under control.

Energy benefits within a low carbon energy mix
The role of solar PV as an integrated part of an energy efficient performance mix within homes is growing in importance. Its rise in popularity is evidenced by the 27% year-on-year increase seen in new solar capacity as reported by Solar Energy UK in 2020 – with 40% of the increase directly resulting from installations in homes and commercial buildings.

Alongside popularity, factors such as improved aesthetics, affordability, quick installation and proven performance, are also helping to make the case for solar PV as a strategically important element of the home energy efficiency revolution.  Depending on available roof space and the household electricity usage, a well-sized PV solar energy system can cover a significant portion of a home or building’s annual electricity usage – up to 65-75% in many cases.  When used in combination with battery storage, solar PV also enhances energy cost efficiencies.  By storing excess solar energy from the PV system for night-time usage, it can help tenants make savings on electricity bills.

Other good ways of helping energy affordability for tenants is the use of power diverters. They work by using the surplus energy the PV system generates and instead of letting it go back to the grid, simply redirects it to cost effectively heat a household’s water tank for example.

Aesthetics and performance
Advances in solar PV technology mean there are now many more design-led options available, and at a much more affordable price which can better suit local authority and social housing budgets.  

Many people associate solar panels with the original on-roof systems, which consist of a set of panels attached to the rafters by a mount, sitting over the top of the roof tiles.  These can be too prominent, so modern, integrated solar PV systems have been developed, which blend in seamlessly with roofscapes.  These roof integrated panels incorporate into the roof surface, acting as an MCS 012 approved building material, effectively replacing a section of tiles.  

Although modern on-roof panels are sleeker than in the past, they hold no comparison to the aesthetic of roof integrated PV.  As both tiles and PV are installed together, it means there is no modification to the roof tiles, securing the manufacturer warranty.   The Marley SolarTile® system is compatible with all roof tiles, allowing for easy incorporation of solar PV into any roof design.

Catalyst for change
The recently announced Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, available for use by social landlords, including housing associations, to carry out energy efficiency technology upgrades in their tenants’ homes is an important step forward.  

It should now act as the catalyst for change and help to kick-start tangible efforts to ensure social housing stock is made as energy efficient as possible.

For more information visit www.marley.co.uk/solar