First solar-powered relocatable building

Portakabin has reinforced its strong commitment to the environment and helping customers reduce carbon emissions with the launch of the UK's first solar-powered relocatable building.

The introduction of the innovative Titan Solar building' is yet another step in the leading modular building provider's ongoing aim to help address climate change.

The only renewable energy building of its kind available on the market, Titan Solar incorporates new, cutting edge solar technology.

Hot water needed in the building is heated through solar panels, significantly cutting down on energy use and therefore reducing carbon emissions and hot water bills by up to half.

David Shaw, Marketing and Technical Director at Portakabin, said, 'We take our commitment to sustainability and the environment very seriously at Portakabin.

As part of this we want to help our customers improve their environmental performance and reduce carbon footprints as a result.

The launch of our new Titan Solar building is a significant step towards this'.

David continued, 'The building has been developed in close conjunction with solar power experts to ensure the technology utilised generates the most effective results.

In addition to reducing carbon emissions, Titan Solar buildings can also produce up to 1112kWh of renewable energy every year, potentially cutting hot water costs by up to half'.

The solar powered heating system features collector panels that have a 96% absorption rate, which means as much natural energy as possible is utilised.

Water is pumped through the panels, which is heated using the energy created by the sun.

The heated water then flows through a heat exchanger, which warms the water stored in the hot water cylinder.

This can then be used for washing or bathing as required.

The technology included in the building has been rigorously tested under UK and European standards for solar water heating and has been awarded BS EN 12975 certification.

Other features and benefits of the building include:.

* Full technical support.

* Integrated design and installation to suit individual budgets.

* Maintenance free.

* The 'closed system' is completely sealed so no water is lost to evaporation.

* The technology features boil and freeze protection, which means that it automatically shuts off at temperatures over 80C and when light levels drop to prevent freezing.

* 'Off the shelf' and bespoke building design solutions.

The launch of the Titan Solar building is a further enhancement to the unique Portakabin Titan building range, which includes an array of additional environmental benefits.

As well as offering a high quality working environment, the thermal efficiency and air-tightness performance of Titan Solar is second-to-none, meeting or exceeding all the requirements set out in Part L2 of the Building Regulations.

As a result energy leakage is minimal, again reducing the amount of carbon emitted.

Throughout 2006, Portakabin saw a 17% year on year reduction in carbon emissions, decreasing by 643 tonnes within 12 months and a further 250 tonnes decrease in emissions for the year ending June 2007.

In January 2007, the organisation also became the first modular building company to announce its commitment to meeting the challenges set out in the Major Contractors Group Sustainability Charter.

This sets out priorities, measures and actions aimed at building a track record and reputation for success in sustainability in the construction industry.

In addition to the launch of Titan Solar, Portakabin has introduced a range of other initiatives to improve the company's overall environmental performance.

The organisation is now registered for ISO 14001, the quality standard for environmental management.

This ensures that all systems and procedures within the Portakabin Group conform to a set environmental policy, with the aim of achieving a continual reduction in the company's carbon footprint.

David Shaw continued, 'We have invested significant time and resources in introducing a range of sustainability initiatives across the company to ensure we continue to make improvements in this area.

Environmental considerations will continue to form a large part of our product development and innovation programme.

'Through the launch of the Titan Solar building, we are helping to achieve our ongoing aim of operating in an environmentally responsible manner, while also providing our customers with complete peace of mind that the buildings they receive from us are sustainable, energy efficient, cost effective and of the highest quality'.

As with all Portakabin buildings that are purchased, the new Titan Solar building is provided with the company's pioneering warranty package.

This includes a 5-year product warranty and a 20-year structural warranty.

The Titan Solar building also comes with the company's ground-breaking Customer Charter, which promises to deliver all projects on time and on budget.

If Portakabin ever fails to meet a contract start date, the customer will be entitled to an additional six months' product warranty.

For further information on how Titan Solar can benefit your organisation and reduce carbon emissions contact Portakabin on 0845 355 5359, email news@portakabin.co.uk or visit.

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