British technology company Polysolar has partnered with Harrow Council to deliver an innovative new renewable energy solution, which will be on display at Grand Designs LIVE at London EXCEL between April 29 and May 7.
This landmark project is the first of its kind in social housing and comes after Harrow’s successful GLA grant-funded bid for fabric-first measures to electric-powered homes.
The project, known as Project-A.I.R (Artificial Intelligence Guided Retrofit), is the first AI-enabled concept to deliver proven, ground-breaking efficiencies in the field of housing decarbonisation. The concept being presented is the creation of a standalone transparent glass garden space where solar power-generating materials are integrated with glass, serving as a dual function of structure and power generation unit in one.
This UK-first for the integration of transparent solar PV glass technology in a social housing retrofit will create a 3-kilowatt (KW) solar array, capable of delivering a 45 per cent reduction in individual household energy bills throughout the year and helping to address fuel poverty in the borough.
The creation of a sheltered outdoor space that also helps power the home will achieve a combination of well-being and environmental improvements, offering improved opportunities for recreation, gardening, outdoor dining, and relaxation under the comfort of weatherproof shaded and low UV-transmission solar glass.
Cllr Mina Parmar, Cabinet Member for Housing at Harrow Council, said, “We are always open to new ideas that will help us in our plans for a carbon-neutral Harrow by 2030. This case study is the first of its kind, and we are proud to be part of this landmark project, which looks at making homes warmer, and as energy-efficient in a way never done before with social housing.
“Not only that, but it will also help residents lower their energy costs at a time many are experiencing a squeeze on their finances. This complements our recent GLA-funded decarbonisation program, and I look forward to seeing our project showcased at the Grand Design live exhibition.”
The specification features zero-concrete ground screw foundations that are gentle on the environment, produce 60% less CO2 than concrete, and can be 100% reused and recycled. Furthermore, the bifacial solar PV glass can offer up to a 30% higher power yield than standard solar roof mount panels.
