Eco-house, Oxford
The first UK solar PV roof installation
Project date: September 2003
Project: Design and Installation of fully integrated solar PV roof for a low-energy domestic development in Oxford.
The system includes a 4kW integrated solar photovoltaic roof array for generating electricity and 5sq.m solar thermal units for domestic hot water pre-heat. The PV is grid-connected and the roof includes opening ‘velux’ style roof-lights.
"My solar ecohouse was built in 1994/5 and was the first fully integrated PV roof in the UK. The EETS roof integration system (RIS) has worked perfectly both as the weatherproof envelope of the house and as an energy generating system. The flexibility to incorporate PV, solar thermal and rooflights in one mounting system allowed an architecturally pleasing design to be achieved. About 2 years after installation one of the PV panels was lifted for inspection and the marine ply base beneath it was perfectly dry and showed no indication of ever having any moisture on it or dampness. Putting the PVs on my house (last electricity bill was negative £24) and pioneering the use of PVs with Professor Cross and the EETS team was an honour and a pleasure. The extensive testing they did prior to the installation of my roof certainly paid off in producing a robust and attractive and failsafe solution and I believe the model has got even better since then. The building has featured in many books and media appearances and I have no reservations in whole heartedly recommending the roof system and its performance." Owner of Oxford Eco House.
