Members of the Green Party were yesterday shown around Solcer House near Bridgend, the new energy positive dwelling built to create more energy than it uses.
Pippa Bartolotti, Wales Green Party leader said, “This is not the house of the future, this is the house for right now. People still think that minimal energy houses are unattainable, or expensive, or impossible, but this building proves that all new houses can be built from local materials, can be beautifully insulated little power plants, and be as affordable as social housing homes.
The components of the house are built almost entirely from readily available technologies, utilizing Welsh manufacturers, Welsh materials, and Welsh installers. These low carbon systems have been designed to be affordable and can readily be built by local developers.
Prof Phil Jones, Welsh School of Architecture, said “I am very happy to welcome the Green Party to this new development which will, when rolled out across the country, make a big impact on reducing our C02 emissions as well as taking many people out of fuel poverty.
“Universities in Wales are working very hard to bring on stream carbon reduction technologies, and this house brings together a diverse range of low carbon energy research – all quite literally under one roof. We are very happy that the Greens in Wales are helping to promote home grown, low energy construction.”
The Wales Green Party leader added, “We have the power to raise building standards in Wales, and we urgently need the Welsh Government to use this power to both keep in line with our pledge to reduce carbon emissions, and to take a massive stride in taking people out of fuel poverty.
“ Most people think they have to stomach ever increasing fuel bills in order to be comfortable and warm, but that is no longer the case. There is a choice. Zero fuel bills are possible, now.
“I ask the First Minister to urgently take on board carbon positive housebuilding and house renovation. Wales has the chance to break away from the broken promises of the Westminster regime and embrace low energy construction so that we can reduce our energy usage and our bills.”
With Prof Phil Jones were Martyn Popham and Neil Tapper from Cenin Renewables Ltd, producers of low carbon cement; Anthony Slaughter, Gareth Brenton and John Rimmington from Wales Green Party.
