OPV – Organic Photovoltaics – are the 3^rd generation of solar panels and promise to revolutionise the industry. Flexible, easy to install and lightweight, organic photovoltaics use much less energy to manufacture than conventional solar panels. They can also generate electricity from daylight as well as sunlight, and will even work when positioned up to 70 degrees off axis.

Simply put this means they will work even when it’s cloudy and they don’t need to be pointed directly towards the sun.

OPV panels are very thin and offer themselves to a range of applications currently unavailable to the current crop of 2^nd generation silicon-based solar panels.

We are excited to be involved with these products which will be launched here in the UK in January 2011. For more information visit our page on Organic Photovoltaics

Inergy UK Ltd is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

An affordable housing development in Brecon has been dubbed ‘super-green’ due to its eco-friendly use of air source heat pumps and solar thermal. The development meets Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Development.

Nu-Heat’s involvement in the project occurred after plans were sent to Pendragon (Design & Build) Ltd for a separate potential project. Nu-Heat’s Heat Pump Design Manager Andrew Butt was called in to discuss the requirements for the 6 apartments within the new development and Pendragon was very impressed by the standard of Nu-Heat’s system design.

Various options were weighed up including exhaust air heat pumps, considered too big for the compact apartments, and individual air source heat pumps which were deemed impractical. The definitive solution was a communal air source heat pump and 8 panel solar battery combined, feeding into the plant room buffer vessel. The ground floor plant room then supplies the entire block of apartment.

Nu-Heat’s design included sizing the radiators to cope with a flow temperature of 45°C and the specialist supply of high gain domestic hot water cylinders capable of extracting the maximum energy from the lower hot water temperature produced from the heat pump systems.   

All energy supplied is heat metered – measuring the supply to each individual apartment. Nu-Heat incorporated a building management system to ensure smooth running of the system and the potential for remote billing.

Nu-Heat provided all system components along with mechanical and electrical design to enable ease of installation.

The heating and hot water system was installed by Mike Dowell of Micaul Solar. Mike saw the potential in renewables some years ago and undertook much of his renewables training at Nu-Heat’s training centre.

The Brongarth development was built by Pendragon for Wales & West Housing Association with Powys County Council and was completed in March 2010. Residents are so far delighted with the performance of their systems. 

Nu-Heat is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Bed and Breakfast at Rawcar Organic Farm on the Coast to Coast Walk, two and a half miles from Danby Wiske in the Vale of Mowbray. The ensuite rooms are newly built in local cobblestone and decorated to the highest standards. Guests have their own separate access to the ground floor bedrooms through the walled garden. Both have fabulous uninterrupted views across to Richmond and the Pennines. Breakfast is served in the double height converted barn. Evening meals are available by prior arrangement. We offer dishes using our own home reared organic Dexter beef, organic Wiltshire Horn lamb, and eggs from our own organic hens. We aim to use as many home produced or locally sourced ingredients as possible [organic if available]. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/2803.htm

Organic Holidays is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Chris Weightman, Nu-Heat’s Senior Development Engineer comments on the recent concerns about heat pumps and HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) gases (‘greenhouse’ gases) that have arisen after a report from Atlantic Consulting. HFC gases are completely manmade and can be harmful if released into the atmosphere.

Heat pumps do use HFC chemicals as part of the refrigerant process. However, Nu-Heat can state that the Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) is zero for all the refrigerants we supply. Most practical refrigerants do have a high Global Warming Potential (GWP), however manufacturing processes are carried out under extremely controlled conditions and no gas is allowed to be released during manufacture. After manufacture, all of the heat pumps supplied by Nu-Heat are hermetically sealed so that the chance of any gas being released is highly unlikely.

Nu-Heat’s view on this issue, therefore, is that although the HFC gases used in heat pumps are theoretically harmful, in practice there should never be a situation where any damage is done.

The Energy Saving Trust, author of a topical report on heat pump performance which reinforced Nu-Heat’s principle that optimum performance can only be achieved with first-rate design, said it is interested in looking into the issue of greenhouse gases and heat pumps and the findings of the study.

Nu-Heat is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

An Air Source Heat Pump is generally a simpler, more straightforward system, than its ground source cousin.

An air source heat pump is best suited to houses that do not have sufficient room for ground collectors, have an outdoor pool or generally have a smaller heating requirement. Well installed systems will happily purr away, offering quiet, unobtrusive and consistent heating and hot water to a property.

This does not mean, however, that the equipment, or the people installing it, are infallible. Here is a list of the challenges faced by air source heat pumps that has resulted in most of the UK’s installed air source heat pumps costing more to run than a gas boiler. 

1. Cheap equipment: This is by far the most frequent problem with poorly installed systems. The vast majority of air source heat pumps are designed for climates radically different to that of the UK. Consequently, the equipment inside the machine is less well equipped to deal with the high levels of water in the British climate. A practical example of this can be seen in any cheap air source heat pump in winter. The water in the air gathers around the heat pump’s heat exchanger and freezes. This causes the heat pump to go into a “defrost cycle”, where the machine stops heating the house and uses electricity to defrost the exchanger. The defrost cycle is never discussed or modelled when manufacturers make COP claims about their equipment. The more expensive air source heat pumps feature much larger exchangers to avoid longer defrosting periods even in the dead of winter. This keeps more heating going into the property and keeps everyone (and their wallets) happier. A more expensive ASHP will also be noticeably quieter. There is nothing more down heartening than having an inefficient and noisy machine rattling away in the corner, constantly reminding a home owner of all the money it’s not saving them.

2. Knowing when to use an air source heat pump: Many installers focus only on one make and type of heat pump and sell it as the solution to every problem. This is far from the case. Making the distinction between and air source and a ground source heat pump is an important first step, followed by what type of air source, what make, and what kW rating. While two or three air source heat pumps working together is acceptable, bolting four or more under-powered and inefficient machines together is costly, irresponsible and most infuriatingly, still going on today. 

3. Siting: Knowing where to site an air source heat pump is essential to maximising efficiency and minimising noise generated. Poorly sited machines will cause undue noise, kill plants, bother neighbours and hurt the wallet by consistently recycling their own cooled air and decreasing efficiency. 

4. Lack of installer knowledge: As with ground source heat pumps, air source heat pumps are only as good as the company that installs them. Despite the comparative simplicity of an air source heat pump system, it is not a plug-and-play solution and it still requires experienced and specialised engineers to maximise the system’s potential. Insulating the wrong pipes, fitting the wrong valves and a general misunderstanding of how the system works will only serve to frustrate owners.

About the author: Duncan McIntosh works at isoenergy.

This article was first published on the YouGen blog. For more information about air source heat pumps or renewable energy, please visit the YouGen website.

YouGen is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Ethical Fashion & Beauty Boutique wins “Best Newcomer” at the RSPCA Good Business Awards ceremony after just six months of trading.
 
An online fashion and beauty business specialising in vegan and ethical products has won “Best Newcomer” at the national RSPCA Good Business Awards within just six months of trading. Founded in February this year by animal-lover and vegan Carrina Rowe, she received the award which was presented by the world famous designer Wayne Hemingway at One Marylebone, London, on Wednesday 6th October. 

The fashion and beauty website’s strict animal welfare and ethical business policies were praised by the high-profile judging panel who recognised Carrina’s efforts as a small business owner who places animal welfare at the top of her agenda.
 
“It is a fantastic surprise and a real honour to have received the award for “Best Newcomer” in such a prestige national competition. I have always admired and respected the companies chosen for the RSPCA Good Business Awards so to actually be a winner myself and in my first year of trading is absolutely amazing and makes me incredibly proud” said Carrina, whose life-long love of animals and nature stems from her mother who worked as a veterinary nurse.
 
“As a little girl, my mum always rescued animals and when I left home, I followed in her footsteps taking in all sorts of creatures in need! My belief that no animal should have to suffer for the sake of our beauty led me on a search for cruelty free make-up and skincare products that were also natural, kinder to the environment, animals and my skin.    
                                                                                                                                  
“I started Nature’s Boutique after discovering some products that claimed to be cruelty free were not necessarily so. None of the products we sell are tested on animals, nor do the brand owners pay third parties to conduct animal testing on their behalf. In fact many are certified by independent bodies such as the BDIH, Soil Association and Vegan Society which have strict criteria for products bearing their seal. Customers can shop safe in the knowledge that there are no animal derivatives and no animal ingredients in the products sold on our site.”
 
Among the sites most popular buys are design-centric and eco-friendly label Matt & Nat whose on-trend bag collections feature ultra-soft inner linings made using around 21 recycled plastic bottles. Other products to be found on the site are natural organic beauty buys from pioneering German brand lavera, MÁDARA eco-cosmetics from Latvia, African bodycare brand TAMU and jewellery by Kate Hamilton-Hunter. All purchases are gift-wrapped in boxes made using recycled and recyclable materials.
Carrina also supports a number of local and national animal charities such as Freshfields Animal Centre, World Horse Welfare and the Parkgate Pony Sanctuary, co-sponsors Scouseveg – the social and campaigning group for vegetarians and vegans in the North West where Carrina is based. and actively helps raise awareness of the many animal-related causes close to her heart via Facebook, Twitter as well as via her own website and blog.

Judge², designer Wayne Hemingway said “Companies now understand the importance of actively listening to customers who want to see changes made and animal welfare policies communicated clearly.  When talking about Nature’s Boutique he said “This company has done everything right from the start” Referring to Nature’s Boutique he continued: “This company has done everything right from the start.”
David Bowels, Director of RSPCA Communications reported that “The quality and quantity of entries to the fashion category this year is a clear indication that companies are responding to the shift towards responsible consumerism.  “All these companies were recognised for leading the way in animal welfare on the high street and the catwalk, and deserve our recognition as they set the standard for others to work towards. Accessories retailer Nature’s Boutique was named Best Newcomer because animal welfare is integral to the company’s philosophy.”
 
For further information about the RSPCA Good Business Awards, please visit http://www.rspcagoodbusinessawards.com and  http://www.goodthings.org.uk/

Flogged up to the NEC at Birmingham on Saturday to see Grand Designs Live. I can’t tell you what it was like to go to a venue simultaneously hosting three shows (I could have gone to GDL, something to do with horses and the Wedding Show on the same day) – OMG as my daughter would say. The garden design area was much more hot tub than horticulture, but it was a valuable day and gave me much food for thought.

I don’t want to sound like too much of a suck, but Kevin McCloud is a very nice, personable bloke who is passionate, intelligent, and knowledgable about his subject (like Hugh F-W). Grand Designs has deservedly done him well, now attracts a huge following, and has opened a whole new world for people like me (like River Cottage). Ten years ago I wanted to live in an old rectory. Now I want to build my own eco house. Why in God’s name can’t someone do for cool, chic, functional eco friendly gardens and landscapes what Kevin has done for cool, chic, functional modern architecture? I’m sure there’s a gardening McCloud out there – there’s some tremendous talent around – a commissioning editor somewhere needs to be persuaded to back someone to do it. Is Matthew Wilson’s Landscape Man a start?

I was mulling all this over while stuck in a traffic jam on the M5 somewhere north of the Cheltenham exit on the way home and listening to Gardeners’ Question Time. Someone asked the panel what they would do if they had a spare acre of land. I know it’s just a bit of fun, but I for one was interested and thought I might get an inspiring idea. One of the panellists said she would plant a field of Pumpkins. PUMPKINS!!! Says it all, really.

Habitat Aid Ltd. is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Penhale Farm covers 360 acres within the Menabilly Estate. Our working organic farm is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Our small family run site is situated on the outskirts of Fowey on Cornwall’s sheltered south coast. We have two camping fields with thirty four electric hook up points. We also have ten luxury caravan holiday homes. There are fantastic views over St Austell Bay from all areas of the campsite. In summer the swallows swoop and dive over the fields and the hedgerows come alive with wild flowers. We hope eventually to provide our summer visitors with fresh Cornish produce grown right here on the farm. Penhale is four miles from the incredible Eden Project. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/2826.htm

Organic Holidays is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Thinking of installing solar thermal panels? Watch this video to weigh up the pros and cons of flat panel versus evacuated tubes.

The main difference comes down to the efficiency. With evacuated tubes, the vacuum provides almost perfect insulation. A flat plate panel has insulation at the back and sides, with glass on top, and isn’t so efficient per square metre. Flat plate panels are generally slightly cheaper.

During the summer months, there’s very little difference in performance between the two. In winter, when we have cold days, and lower light levels, the evacuated tubes will perform slightly better.

We install both systems. They suit different people. The argument often come down to aesthetics versus efficiency. A lot of people prefer the look of the flat plate panels, but if you want the more efficient, then it’s evacuated tubes.

About the author: First published on YouGen blog.  Gabriel Wondrausch is founder and director of SunGift Solar, which installs solar thermal and other renewable energy systems in the South West of England.

For more info on solar thermal or renewable energy visit the YouGen website.

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Green roofs and wall not only look great, they provide extra growing space for your garden, insluate the buildings they cover, ease rain water run-off and provide extra natural habit for animals and plants. 

The UK’s foremost experts in design and construction of living roofs and walls are joining together to teach a fully comprehensive course at Schumacher College this November.

Dusty Gedge (President of the European Federation of Green Roof Associations),
Gary Grant (Chartered Environmentalist and Ecologist with 30 years’ experience) and
John Little (Founder of the Grass Roof Company).

This course looks at living roofs and walls from a macro and a micro perspective, and the role that they can play in meeting the challenges of climate change mitigation, resource depletion and habitat loss.

Participants will develop an in-depth understanding of their design, specification and construction, benefits and challenges, and how they relate to planning for the future.

The course also introduces the concept of ecosystem services for design, how this relates to water catchment management and drainage, ecological networks, green infrastructure planning and the importance of multi-functional environmental design. The course covers the history and design of living roofs and walls, and the creation of locally appropriate wildlife habitats including local ecologies.

By the end of the course participants will have sound knowledge of the benefits and challenges of green roofs and walls, ideas for effective design, and the practical skills necessary to construct them. This course is organised in association with RESET, and will be certificated to count towards your CPD.

Click here for more details

See article from the Guardian this week:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/oct/10/innovator-dusty-gedge-duncan-kramer-dan-monck-john-little-green-roof

Schumacher College, Dartington is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more