Case study: Using solar power to save energy

It is now a full 10 years (March 1991-2001) since Solar Services installed the first of its pilot schemes into the DSS headquarters building in Plymouth. The aim was to reduce energy consumption in order to reduce running costs. A system was designed to incorporate the use of Evacuated Heat Pipe Solar Collectors to produce hot water.

After installation, the estates department at the DSS installed 'hours run' and 'units used' meters to measure specific , performance. The system was able to make documented savings in excess of 70%. Faced such savings the decision was made to add systems to other Government buildings in another six South-West locations. "We were astonished that the electricity bills were so low" said DSS project manager Peter Debnam. Now some 10 years later, the systems are still in place and continue to perform.

These collectors are currently the most specified collectors in Germany where the climate is comparable to our own but where technical appreciation and a greater sensitivity to environmental factors means that sales outstrip the UK by 10-1. A spokesman for Solar services commented " today, it is possible effectively to harness solar energy for domestic and commercial applications using high technology collectors".

Established in Bournemouth 20 years ago, the company has installed systems in buildings ranging from smaller flats to larger Government establishments and for the MOD.

Reported in PHAM news March 2001