The solar energy arriving at the Earth's surface each year is capable of providing 10,000 times our current power demand. So why don't we harness this huge source of free energy, instead of burning fossil fuels and creating toxic nuclear waste?
Even in Ireland and the UK, not a place particularly well known for its sunny weather, we receive many, many times more solar energy than our annual electricity consumption. If we were to make use of all the buildings in the country, we could meet Ireland's total electricity requirements with photovoltaics (PV).
SOLAR PANELS that convert sunlight into electricity may represent the world’s best chance of supplying energy needs into the future. No other technology holds the same potential, a conference in Dublin has heard.


If we made full use of our homes, schools, offices and factories, total global demand could be met with the equivalent of one 10 x 10m array of PV per person.
According to European Photovoltaics Industry Association and Greenpeace, 26% of global energy could be met with PV by 2040. In doing so, this level of usage would bring power to the one billion people around the globe who do not currently have access to electricity and create two million new jobs by 2013.

The new CIS technology solar module supplied by Barrettsolar and fitted by Marr Construction is 12.6% more efficient than crystalline silicone standard solar modules on the market. It features a light soaking effect which is unique to CIS modules which provides higher output than standard modules. They are also black in colour which can blend in with other roofing materials and are more preferable to Architects and clients. The energy payback time can be less than one year compared to 2 and a half years.
They absorb a wide spectrum of light energy and ensure maximum energy generation also under unfavorable weather conditions.“

HOME ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (HEMS)
The "HEMS" as supplied by Barrettsolar  is a system which is ideal for the situation in Ireland where we have unfavourable "feed in tariffs" from our Electricity suppliers. Self-generated solar electricity is generally much cheaper than domestic electricity. In most cases the tariff is only 9cent when we have to pay Airtricity or ESB 15cent per Kilowatt hour.
With the home energy management system we use all our power generated by our solar modules in an intelligent manner. The system will store the power generated in Batteries so we can have electricity at night and in cloudy grey skies. It has computer software which will monitor the daily output generated and is user friendly. If the system cannot produce enough power during unfavourable weather , the back up system will kick in and the normal electricity supply will take over.   With the HEMS  a consumption rate of 70% is possible, i.e. only 30 per cent of the solar electricity you generate is exported to the grid- the remainder can be used in the home.
A standard  "HEMS" system of 3 kilowatts supplied and fitted would cost €15,600 plus vat. This includes a solar array of 20 CIS modules with battery storage and the intelligent Home Energy Management system.
Barrettsolar  and Marr construction also supply the ARRES  "Solar roof tiles"
Ideal for new builds where there is no need for conventional roof tiles or slates.
Please enquire for additional info HERE

NEW ECOLOGICAL WAY TO BUILD HIGH RISE BUILDINGS IN THE FUTURE.

This will be the new way to build High rise buildings using renewable materials such as Glue laminated timber beams for structural columns and  horizontal beams to carry precast Eco cement based concrete floor panels .

After an interesting visit to Austria,I met Cree Rhomberg an Austrian building company who have developed this brilliant building system which is a lot cheaper to build than conventional construction systems and proves a much faster time on site. This 8 floor building as seen, was built to this height in 8 days including the cladding curtain wall system.

The system can use any type of Curtain wall system as specified by clients and Architects.

Clients and architects are impressed with the build time which minimises neighbouring disturbances such as associated site works, transport issue disturbances dust,mess and long build times. 

In this system the building is built to Passive house standards and is airtight , high levels of insulation, high performance triple glazed windows and doors, cold bridge elimination, mechanical heat recovery ventilation and therefore does not need a large heating system. This building is connected to an Ecological district heating system for hot water and  if necessary for heating in Winter conditions.

Between the glue laminated floor carrying beams all services are easily accommodated. For example they have copper pipes running in these zones to carry hot water for heating the air in the rooms if necessary or cold water in the pipes to cool the rooms in Summer if over heating occurs.The supply of fresh air through ducts connected to heat recovery are also easily placed in this service zone.

I noticed a very good air quality and also nice ambiance with the scent of pine timber

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The columns and beams are prefabricated offsite and are proven to have a better fire rating than steel structures.  The lift shaft core of this building is built in Concrete as this part of the building was cheaper to pass regulations for means of escape in the event of fire.

A very impressive building indeed for office or living and we will see this method of Construction now in Austria, Germany and Canada where projects are in planning stages plus one building in London city.   Check out Cree Rhombergs website   on the Life cycle building . 

                                                                                            By Philip Marr