USING RENEWABLE ENERGY IN SCOTLAND – NEW BUILD AND SELF BUILD HOUSING

The installation of renewables, such as solar energy, in new build housing across Scotland is helping building developers meet demanding new building regulations, specifically Standard 6.1.  Using a Plug-In Solar New Build Kit to meet these new Scottish regulations is a simple solution, that can also add value to new homes.

This post aims to analyse the role of solar energy in Scottish new build homes, and discuss how the building regulations can be met.

Using Renewable Energy in new build housing in Scotland

The Scottish government is legally bound to met targets for greenhouse gas emissions set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. The act includes an interim target of 42% reduction in emissions (against a 1990 benchmark) by 2020. More than 40% of Scotland’s CO2 emissions come from energy usage to power dwellings and commercial buildings.  Therefore the Scottish construction industry has a major role to play in meeting Scotland’s emissions reduction targets.  The building industry’s role was detailed in the 2007 Sullivan report (last updated in 2013): A Low Carbon Building Standards Strategy for Scotland.

The recommendations of the Sullivan Report were adopted into Scottish building regulations in 2015 and have significant impacts for solar energy and other renewables used in new build housing in Scotland. These impacts on the Scottish new build housing sector are outlined in Section 6 of the building regulations Technical Handbook.

The purpose of this section of the regulations is to provide more efficient buildings with reduced carbon dioxide emissions. The regulations take a wide view of how building designs must adapt to meet these targets and indicate that there will be a greater need to implement building-integrated renewable energy systems, such as solar photovoltaics (bipv), as well as wind power, ground source and air source heat pumps,

Scottish Building Regulation Standard 6.1 is aimed at reducing CO2 emissions from new build housing as a result of the use of lighting, heating, hot water, and ventilation. Due to the fact that overall emissions are taken into account, the architect is able to analyse the energy performance of the entire building as a whole and can therefore use different methods, such as Solar PV, along with an efficient boiler, to fulfil the emissions targets.

Determining the energy efficiency of Scottish new build homes

There are two terms that are very important when determining the energy efficiency of new build homes in Scotland. BER (Building Emissions Rate), and TER (Target Emissions Rate).

The (BER) of the new build home must not exceed the emissions for a ‘notional’ dwelling, known as the (TER). This ‘notional’ dwelling will have the same size, shape and ‘living area fraction’ as the proposed dwelling. The CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) emissions are measured in kilograms of CO2 per sqM per annum.

In order to calculate the (BER), Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) calculations are used, which can then be compared against the (TER).

Specifically the use of Solar Energy to meet the Target Emissions Rate (TER), is laid out in section 6.1.10:

“For purpose of calculating the benefit of the PV element in the TER reduction, region is ‘UK average’, orientation ‘SW’, pitch ‘30°’ and overshading ‘no or little’. and kWp is the smaller of:

– dwelling total floor area (in m²) x 0.01, and

– roof area limit.

The roof area limit is to ensure that the PV area does not exceed 30% of the roof area (based on 30° roof pitch and 0.12kWp per m² PV area). In the case of a flat or maisonette the roof area limit is divided by the number of storeys in the block.”

Using Solar PV for new build homes in Scotland

The building regulations do not specify any particular renewables for new build homes, but some methods are more suitable than others when building a new home.  One of the easiest and cheapest methods of obtaining renewable energy in new build homes is through the use of solar panels.

Plug-In Solar provide ‘out of the box’ solar PV kits that can be installed on site, quickly and easily.  Our Solar Kits include everything you need to complete your installation, and use products that are MCS and G98 certificated.

Whether it’s a roof mounted (tile/slate roof), ground mounted, flat roof mounted or on a wooden or metal roof, we have the solution.

You can see our range of New Build Solar Kits here: https://www.pluginsolar.co.uk/?product_cat=new-build-solar-kits

We also offer Building Integrated PV (BIPV) solutions, such as Solar Tiles/Slates and In Roof Solar Kits, which can give an installation a sleeker look.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for on our website, please be aware that we supply bespoke solar kits, designed specifically for your budget and requirements.

Please contact us today on 01444 672005, or via email info@pluginsolar.co.uk to discuss your project.