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Solar Energy Services
News Release from: BP Solar | Subject: Building-integrated solar electricity system
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 08 September 2005
Building-integrated solar electricity
system
An award winning conservation project has successfully integrated solar technology as part of an impressive plan to develop a sustainable building.
An award winning conservation project has successfully integrated solar technology as part of an impressive plan to develop a sustainable building As a remote building which wanted to be self-sufficient, the Falstone Tea Rooms which caters for more than 500,000 visitors a year to the Northumberland National Park, has installed a building-integrated solar electricity system
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 17 Jan 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) technology will be the key feature of buildings of the future.
A total of 12 double-glazed PowerGlaz panels, manufactured by Durham-based glass specialists Romag, which has the UK's only specialised BIPV solar glass/glass production facility, have been fully integrated into the original Victorian former school building.
Each panel incorporates a screen-printed boarder to reflect the period of the building.
PowerGlaz was developed by BP Solar, in conjunction with Romag, a world leader in the manufacture of specialised laminated glass.
It is a revolutionary way to build solar into buildings as part of the fabric.
It can be incorporated into a window or other building material, performing two functions; as a material of construction and at the same time producing clean, renewable energy.
Overall responsibility for the design of the project handled by architects RMJM in Edinburgh, the installation was carried out by the UK's largest solar installers Solar Technologies, working with curtain walling system providers Schuco.
The way that high-level sustainability technology was incorporated into the Tea Rooms has already earned its owners, the Northumberland National Parks Authority, a special award for rural design in a market town from The Civic Trust.
It is now believed that literally thousand of similar period buildings, which need renovation in keeping with their original design could also benefit from building-integrated solar electricity, placing the past and the future in harmony and to the benefit of the built and climatic environment.
Keith Morrison, sales and marketing director for Romag, said: "The Falstone project shows how buildings in remote locations can benefit from even a small BIPV installation which is fully integrated to complement other sustainable energy initiatives without compromising the historical appearance of a traditional building.".
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