Velux, a manufacturer of roof windows and building materials, has launched a campaign to urge the government to make it mandatory to use of solar thermal technology in all new build projects.
Velux is calling for a blanket policy to be adopted which would see solar thermal systems installed in all new homes. This, according to the company, will improve the energy efficiency of the new housing stock, while helping the government reach its stretching ecological targets. It is viewed that the current government scheme, Low Carbon Buildings (also known as Microgeneration Certification Scheme), has not yielded the desired results in terms of take up both on the customers’ side and the plumbers’ side.
The campaign by Velux is highlighting the concern that the UK is falling behind other European markets which have already introduced legislation requiring solar thermal systems on all new homes. One such market is Spain where since 2007 all new houses must have a solar thermal system installed.
Solar thermal technology is one of the most efficient renewable energy technologies. Also, due to it being around for over 50 years, it is tried and tested with prices that have kept coming down over the years. A properly installed system can save 50-60% of a typical household’s hot water heating bills and reduce the carbon emissions by close to one tonne per annum.
Velux, which has manufacturing companies in 10 countries and sales companies in just under 40 countries, is a global building materials brand and its products are sold in most parts of the world. The Group has more than 10,000 employees, and head offices in Hørsholm, north of Copenhagen. The Velux Group’s financial results are incorporated into VKR Holding’s consolidated accounts. In 2007, VKR Holding’s turnover amounted to Euro 2.3 billion and profit after tax came to Euro 189 million.