Setting the example

• SOLCER house is the first low-cost energy positive house in Wales
• The building is a demo of existing technologies - reduced energy demand, renewable energy production, and energy storage
• It shows the important of cooperation and employing local companies 

The first low-cost energy positive house in Wales was designed and constructed as part of the Wales Low Carbon Research institute’s SOLCER project (Smart Operation for a Low Carbon Energy Region). The SOLCER house is a three-bedroom two-storey residential building debuting a combination of reduced energy demand, renewable energy production, and energy storage.

The building combines existing technologies in an innovative way and showcases what is doable today. The energy system of the house combines solar generation and battery storage. The south-facing roof has fully integrated photovoltaic panels. This reduces the cost of bolting them to a standard roof and allows the area below the roof to be naturally lit. The north-facing roof has lithium-ion batteries for energy storage.

The building produces more energy than it uses. Reduced energy demand was achieved by using thick insulation, reducing air leakages and using an innovative energy-efficient design including structural insulated panels, transpired solar collectors and low-emitting windows and doors. Thus the CO2 emissions of the building materials are around a third lower than those of a standard house.

It was important to use local suppliers and installers during the construction project. The project and building is intended for training and to demonstrate the technologies both to local companies and internationally. These solutions can easily be replicated.

Key benefits

• An example of successful collaboration between academia, industry, and government
• The project demonstrated social and environmental credentials by employing local suppliers and installers
• The building is a demonstration of what is doable today and it can be replicated