How to use PV to meet Building Codes, Regulations & Local Planning Rules
Building Regulations
With the new Part L Building Regulations in force, the Code for Sustainable Homes and The Merton Rule being more widely adopted, building professionals face a huge change in building practices. Below we have summarised the main regulatory drivers and what they mean.
The Merton Rule and Local Plans (On-site renewable energy requirements)
All Local Authorities are required by government to publish a ‘Local Plan’ in which they set out their proposals to reduce local energy use and carbon emissions.
In 2002 Merton Council developed a ground breaking local plan which required new developments to supply 10% of their energy use from on-site renewable sources.
Many local authorities, including all those in Greater London have increased the requirement to 20%. Increasing numbers of local authorities have adopted it and many more are developing similar ‘On-site renewable energy requirement’ plans.
If you don’t already have SBEM calculations for your development we can recommend an assessor. Once you have SBEM calculations we can quickly put together a quote for a PV system that will achieve the requirement.
Photovoltaics or PV is the simplest renewable technology option to install . PV can be designed into the building or added as a remedial measure to help a non-compliant building to pass building regulations.
Energy Performance Certificates (EPC’s)
Commercial EPCs
From the first of October 2008 it will be mandatory that: when any commercial premises is to be offered for sale or for let there should be a CEPC available to show to a prospective tenant or purchaser. Examples of these include: Government Buildings, Display Retail Units, Offices, Shops, Industrial Units, Hotels, new build commercial units and New Build Homes
Installing PV can help owners achieve higher EPC energy ratings which, in turn, will be more attractive to buyers and tenants.
Displayed EPC's
Central & Local Government Buildings under Local Authority control will be required to display energy certificates where the public have access. This will be extended to corporate and commercial buildings during 2008.
Social Housing EPC’s
These will be required for all Local Authority and private landlords buildings in England and Wales from October 2008. This has significant implications for registered social landlords RSL's.
With the new Part L Building Regulations in force, the Code for Sustainable Homes and The Merton Rule being more widely adopted, building professionals face a huge change in building practices. Below we have summarised the main regulatory drivers and what they mean.
The Merton Rule and Local Plans (On-site renewable energy requirements)
All Local Authorities are required by government to publish a ‘Local Plan’ in which they set out their proposals to reduce local energy use and carbon emissions.
In 2002 Merton Council developed a ground breaking local plan which required new developments to supply 10% of their energy use from on-site renewable sources.
Many local authorities, including all those in Greater London have increased the requirement to 20%. Increasing numbers of local authorities have adopted it and many more are developing similar ‘On-site renewable energy requirement’ plans.
If you don’t already have SBEM calculations for your development we can recommend an assessor. Once you have SBEM calculations we can quickly put together a quote for a PV system that will achieve the requirement.
Photovoltaics or PV is the simplest renewable technology option to install . PV can be designed into the building or added as a remedial measure to help a non-compliant building to pass building regulations.
Energy Performance Certificates (EPC’s)
Commercial EPCs
From the first of October 2008 it will be mandatory that: when any commercial premises is to be offered for sale or for let there should be a CEPC available to show to a prospective tenant or purchaser. Examples of these include: Government Buildings, Display Retail Units, Offices, Shops, Industrial Units, Hotels, new build commercial units and New Build Homes
Installing PV can help owners achieve higher EPC energy ratings which, in turn, will be more attractive to buyers and tenants.
Displayed EPC's
Central & Local Government Buildings under Local Authority control will be required to display energy certificates where the public have access. This will be extended to corporate and commercial buildings during 2008.
Social Housing EPC’s
These will be required for all Local Authority and private landlords buildings in England and Wales from October 2008. This has significant implications for registered social landlords RSL's.
The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH)
The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) aims to achieve a step-change in environmental performance of new UK homes setting out a timetable to reduce carbon emission in new build housing to Zero by 2016. This will be achieved via new Building Regulations.
CSH is targeted at architects, home designers and builders of new homes. It covers water use, waste generation, and the use of low-polluting materials/processes as well as energy.
Housing Associations are already required to build to Code - Level 3 with many choosing to build to Level 4 and above to save their occupiers money on fuel bills.
Cracking the code
Code level 2
Requires an 18% energy improvement over 2006 (part L Building Regulations). This must involve the use of higher thermal insulation and improved fabric air permeability throughout.
Current status - Mandatory for all
Code level 3
A home will need to be 25% more energy efficient compared to Part L 2006. This will require low carbon technologies such as Photovoltaic or (PV) modules.
Current status - Mandatory for HA’s - 2012 for private developments
Code level 4
A 44% improvement over 2006 part L Building Regulations must be achieved. This will require some PV modules.
Current status - Mandatory 2012 for HA’s
Code level 5
Requires a 100% improvement over 2006 part L Building Regulations. This will require all electricity to be provided from on-site renewable sources including Photovoltaic (PV) modules. As most urban and sub-urban sites will not be suitable for wind turbines, PV will proliferate as the best technology to guarantee these targets.
Introduction date TBC
Code level 6
Zero-Carbon will also require PV panels in order to replace entirely the energy taken from the national grid. The additional points to achieve a six-star rating must require investment in energy efficient appliances, reduction of surface water run-off, and the application of a site waste-management plan.
Current status - Mandatory for all in 2016
To find out how we can help you build with PV and these new regulations - at little additional cost - call 01582 840 445 or e-mail info@south-facing.co.uk
Feed-in Tariff for the UK in 2010
A feed in tariff for the UK has been confirmed. It is expected that this will apply for PV systems of up to 5MW. The details are yet to be announced.
A Feed-in tariff (FIT) is typically a 20 year government backed contract offering a tariff for electricity generated by PV that is up to 6 times greater than the cost of grid electricity. This fast payback scheme incentivises the speedy development of renewable electricity and is paid for by a small levy on every kWh.
The feed-in tariff was first introduced in Germany and has become so successful that it has been taken up in more than 37 countries worldwide including Spain, Greece, South Korea, Japan, USA, France, and Italy.
The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) aims to achieve a step-change in environmental performance of new UK homes setting out a timetable to reduce carbon emission in new build housing to Zero by 2016. This will be achieved via new Building Regulations.
CSH is targeted at architects, home designers and builders of new homes. It covers water use, waste generation, and the use of low-polluting materials/processes as well as energy.
Housing Associations are already required to build to Code - Level 3 with many choosing to build to Level 4 and above to save their occupiers money on fuel bills.
Cracking the code
Code level 2
Requires an 18% energy improvement over 2006 (part L Building Regulations). This must involve the use of higher thermal insulation and improved fabric air permeability throughout.
Current status - Mandatory for all
Code level 3
A home will need to be 25% more energy efficient compared to Part L 2006. This will require low carbon technologies such as Photovoltaic or (PV) modules.
Current status - Mandatory for HA’s - 2012 for private developments
Code level 4
A 44% improvement over 2006 part L Building Regulations must be achieved. This will require some PV modules.
Current status - Mandatory 2012 for HA’s
Code level 5
Requires a 100% improvement over 2006 part L Building Regulations. This will require all electricity to be provided from on-site renewable sources including Photovoltaic (PV) modules. As most urban and sub-urban sites will not be suitable for wind turbines, PV will proliferate as the best technology to guarantee these targets.
Introduction date TBC
Code level 6
Zero-Carbon will also require PV panels in order to replace entirely the energy taken from the national grid. The additional points to achieve a six-star rating must require investment in energy efficient appliances, reduction of surface water run-off, and the application of a site waste-management plan.
Current status - Mandatory for all in 2016
To find out how we can help you build with PV and these new regulations - at little additional cost - call 01582 840 445 or e-mail info@south-facing.co.uk
Feed-in Tariff for the UK in 2010
A feed in tariff for the UK has been confirmed. It is expected that this will apply for PV systems of up to 5MW. The details are yet to be announced.
A Feed-in tariff (FIT) is typically a 20 year government backed contract offering a tariff for electricity generated by PV that is up to 6 times greater than the cost of grid electricity. This fast payback scheme incentivises the speedy development of renewable electricity and is paid for by a small levy on every kWh.
The feed-in tariff was first introduced in Germany and has become so successful that it has been taken up in more than 37 countries worldwide including Spain, Greece, South Korea, Japan, USA, France, and Italy.
