Our Aim: To have 50 new Solar water heating systems up and running in Totnes by July 2008

How: We will bulk buy and install the systems …. But we need your help!!

The systems usually cost £4-5000 installed, TTT will have systems for lots less!

Contact Naresh on 01803 867358 or e mail solarthermalchallenge.totnes@transitionnetwork.org to register your interest.
There is no cost or obligation at this stage. If you are thinking that this would be a good idea, then just get in touch.

The process so far:

We have sent out an email to those on the TTT mailing list to assess the scope of the project and get people thinking about their property and the preparation work that they would have to do before they get a solar water system. The email that details this is below.

Where we are at the moment June 08

We are appointed a solarinstaller, Sungift Solar after competitive tender process with thre different properties all having slightly different technical problems facing them and giving us a range of prices for different systems that will enable us to fairly compare all other installations against. The three systems that were quoted for have been evaluated by myself and a local solar enthusiast and we are confident that we are getting a good quality system at a good price.

T he next steps for someone who wants to have a solar system is either to email me and request a quote from the solar installer, or to come to a public meeting on Thursday June 19th at 7:30pm at the TTT offices, 43 Fore St, Totnes TQ9 5HN to have a chance to meet other people who are interested, and the installer, and to ask questions and explore having a solar installation at your home. The minutes of this meeting are here

The first installation is going on at 30th of June, and to be followed by at least 8 others, with more people getting quotes. 

Where we are at the moment May 08

We have just got four solar installers to quote on three properties that represent the different challenges that a solar installer will face, and so give us a representative sample pricing structure. We will then chose from the installers the one who gives us the best value, and then it will be up to the other people in the scheme to get them around to quote and install a system.

We should be evaluating the quotes by the end of May and deciding on a installer. Others can get quotations for their own properties and instalations can take place.

First Formal Communication in the Solar Water Heater Challenge:

Emailed to all 35 participants currently enrolled in the scheme. We still have room for more, so applying at this stage is still possible.
17.1.07

Hello all;
This is the first formal communication in this process. Firstly, thank you all for taking part in this exciting initiative.
This email details the practical requirements leading to installation of a solar thermal hot water system, and informs you of the progress we have made.

Please answer all questions as best you can and let me know whether you are still wanting to take part. This is still a preliminary assessment, so there is still no obligation. I will let you know when you will have to make a decision, as to whether to purchase a system, but before that can happen, there are a few steps to go through as this is a group process. Before you can ‘sign on the dotted line’ you will have to have had an on site assessment by the installer, and you will be given a firm quotation for the work prior to your having to commit to purchasing a system, and at that time you will have to sign a contract, as in any normal commercial transaction. Before you sign that contract, you are free to go ahead or not.

The process so far
I am interviewing solar installers, so we have not yet picked an installer, or decided on the systems to be used. It is likely there will be a choice of systems, as there will be different requirements.
We are working with RE4D.org, who are providing us with professional advice on the solar systems as well as on grant applications. We are getting a grant to cover their costs, so this will not add to the cost of the project. The installer and the system have to be approved in order to get the government grant, and the installer will be vetted by RE4D, so you can be assured that the systems will be professionally and competently installed, and will come with a guarantee.

Grants and costings
The cost of the systems is unknown at the moment because we do not know which system we are choosing, each systems will be different depending on ease of installation, and the numbers who go ahead. Currently we have 35 who have registered interest, and that is increasing.

Planning
We are been in touch with the planning department of South Hams DC (and other councils will be similar), and as long as you are not in a listed building or your home is not in a conservation area, these systems will most probably attract permitted development rights, so planning permission will not be required. Contacting your council with your postcode, and they will tell you if you will need planning permission. Will you need planning yes no?
For the low carbon building initiative you will need to have installed basic energy efficiency measures to get a grant. This includes:
Loft insulation, up to 270mm yes no ?
Cavity wall insulation if you have cavity walls yes no?
Low energy light bulbs where possible yes no?
Basic controls for your heating system yes no ?
A home energy check can be obtained as well as information on grants available for this work, on 0800 521 012, or go to the Energy Saving Trust for Devon at http://www.est.org.uk/myhome/localadvice/eeac.cfm?eeac_region_id=6

There is also a web site where you can check on the efficiency of your boiler which you might consider replacing anyway if it is inefficient; http://www.sedbuk.com/

Other practicalities
You will need un-shaded roof space, East, West, South East, South, or South West facing, of approximately one square metre per person, do you have this?
Yes No?
A solar water heater is incompatible with Worcester Bosch combi boilers and combi boilers in general, do you have this type of boiler?
Yes no ?
It is recommended that you install a 25% larger hot water cylinder, do you have space in the airing cupboard for this?
Yes No ?
I would appreciate you getting back to me as soon as you can with the answers to these questions, and state whether you want to progress this further, by e mailing me back.
Again thank you for participating in this exciting project and being at the cutting edge of carbon mitigation technology. We are hoping, if this initiative is successful, to do this in other Transition Towns across the UK, and beyond!

Yours
Naresh G. Giangrande