2/10/2003 Solar Energy - The Sun will never send us a bill
Media Information 19th May 2003
Solar Energy - The Sun will never send us a bill
The sun doesn’t always shine in Ireland but conditions for solar energy are very favourable that is according to Paul Kellett Technical Manager with Sustainable Energy Ireland’s Renewable Energy Information Office. Paul explains:
“Since the beginning of time, the sun has been the source of energy and life on earth. Today, solar energy can provide cost-effective solutions to fight climate change and reduce our dependency on expensive and polluting fossil fuels.
Solar energy in Ireland is not a myth, and contrary to what many people may think, we are not short of solar energy resources. In Ireland every year we receive the equivalent of 600 times the total amount of energy we consume from the sun.
At current energy prices the average Irish family will spend over €40,000 in the next 30 years just to heat their home. Harnessing solar energy can reduce those costs by over 50%.
This very intense source of free, eco-friendly energy will always be available – it is carbon dioxide free and will never send us a bill.”
Solar Homes Catch the Sun
Thousands of new homes and commercial premises currently being built fail to meet the basic design principles that could cut energy consumption by over 30% at no extra capital cost. Building regulations ensure reasonable standards of insulation, but most home owners are unaware that with just a few common-sense measures houses could make far more efficient use of solar energy.
Passive solar design (PSD), an architectural approach to maximise natural solar gains, reduces heat losses and provides natural ventilation and day lighting. The key elements are south facing orientation, a high level of insulation, a comparatively large area of glazing on the south façade, controlled ventilation, shading to avoid overheating and wind sheltering. The use of sustainable construction materials should also to be taken into consideration when designing and constructing a building. Passive solar design need not add anything to the cost of the home or building and produces a more pleasant and healthier living or working environment.
Collecting solar energy for space and water heating
An active solar thermal system relies on solar collectors to transform sunlight into heat that can be used for space heating or more commonly to produce hot water. Across Europe over two million households use solar water or air heaters and the solar thermal market is rapidly increasing in Ireland. Last year several hundred solar water and air heaters were installed in Ireland by a network of professional installers.
Solar water heaters are ideal for new houses or extensive renovations as their installation can be integrated in the overall building work. This will reduce significantly the extra-cost of the equipment as some elements of the solar water heater can be discounted against a new conventional system (hot water tank, regulation, roof cover, etc.).
Another advantage is that once correctly installed, a solar water heater requires very little maintenance and in normal conditions their average lifetime is 25 years or more.
Renewable Heat Pumps – Better by Nature
At a time when Ireland has the most energy import dependent economy in Europe and with oil prices rising 30% this year, more and more people and businesses are also taking a closer look at geothermal heat pumps which is a complimentary technology to solar.
Basically, a renewable heat pump harnesses heat from the ground, water and the air, all of which are freely available in large quantities at a low temperature. The heat pump works by concentrating that heat, upgrading it to a higher temperature and releasing it when and where required. The beauty of this system is that for every unit of electricity used to operate the heat pump–over, four units of heat are generated.
In both domestic and commercial buildings, energy demand is dominated by heating requirements and ground/water source heat pumps are one of the most efficient ways to heat space, sanitary hot water and eventually provide cooling. This well established technology offers a range of benefits including a healthier and more comfortable working and living environment, reduced energy bills and the avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions.
Last year over 300 ground or water source heat pumps were installed in Ireland and this number is set to more than double this year as more and more people and businesses look to the sun for eco-friendly and affordable energy.
When properly designed and integrated, heat pump systems can yield a simple payback period of five years and sometimes less compared to conventional systems.
To further promote Solar Energy in Ireland, Sustainable Energy Ireland will be hosting a two-day Solar Conference and Study Tour at the Botanic Gardens, Dublin on 19 – 20 June. Leading European experts and Irish practitioners will share their experience and know-how and familiarize delegates with the very latest in all solar technologies. In particular delegates will have a unique opportunity to assess the status and potential of solar energy in Ireland; discover how solar architecture is delivering sustainable, comfortable, cost effective, healthy living and working conditions; see solar energy in action first hand and learn more about the practical solutions for the implementation of solar energy.
Sustainable Energy Ireland, formerly the Irish Energy Centre, was established on May 1st, 2002, as a statutory authority charged with promoting and assisting the development of a sustainable energy and is funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 with programmes part financed by the European Union.
-ends-
For further information on Solar energy and the See the Light Conference and Study Tour please contact: Sustainable Energy Ireland Renewable Energy Information Office, Shinagh House, Bandon, Co Cork. Telephone Information Hotline 023 42193. E-mail:renewables@reio.ie. Visit www.sei/reio.htm.
