last updated 14th September 05
By 4ecotips

Screen printed border reflects period style

An award winning conservation project has successfully integrated solar technology as part of an impressive plan to develop a sustainable building. As a remote building which wanted to be self-sufficient, the Falstone Tea Rooms which caters for more than 500,000 visitors a year to the Northumberland National Park, has installed a building-integrated solar electricity system. A total of 12 double-glazed PowerGlaz panels, manufactured by Durham-based glass specialists Romag, which has the UK's only specialised BIPV solar glass/glass production facility, have been fully integrated into the original Victorian former school building.

Each panel incorporates a screen-printed boarder to reflect the period of the building.

PowerGlaz was developed by BP Solar, in conjunction with Romag, a world leader in the manufacture of specialised laminated glass.

It is a revolutionary way to build solar into buildings as part of the fabric.

It can be incorporated into a window or other building material, performing two functions; as a material of construction and at the same time producing clean, renewable energy.

Overall responsibility for the design of the project handled by architects RMJM in Edinburgh, the installation was carried out by the UK's largest solar installers Solar Technologies, working with curtain walling system providers Schuco.

The way that high-level sustainability technology was incorporated into the Tea Rooms has already earned its owners, the Northumberland National Parks Authority, a special award for rural design in a market town from The Civic Trust.