Solarworks Ltd.

This new village hall for a small rural community has just been commended in the Maldon District Council Design and Conservation Awards.

The hall was built using lottery funding and local authority grants. 

Inkpen Downie began their work with a detailed feasibility study based on consultations with the community in order to establish the building requirements and support the grant applications.

The success of the project is a testament to the dedication of the Village Hall Committee, who have successfully obtained funding from:

• The Community Fund
• Essex County Council Learning Services
• Maldon District Council Community Services
• Steeple Parish Council
• Shell Better Britain Campaign Community Projects Fund
• Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales
• Essex Environment Trust

This success has been documented as an example of good practice in The Key to Successful Fundraising for Church and Community Projects by Keith Derry. More details about the book in our Library.

The building is built with high quality materials for a long life. Additional security is provided by built-in shutters. The building is fully accessible. 

The Shell Better Britain Campaign funded a solar collector for the roof which is providing free hand-hot water even in winter. The contractors, Haynes and Smith, completed a week early and the building was immediately in use.

Source: Inkpen Downie Library Item

Thermomax DF100 20 tube collector installed on Sarnafil roof. Read the rest of this entry »

Thermomax HP200, 30 tube collector heating  a 250 litre vented hot water cylinder for a six bedroom house in the Norfolk Broads.

Thermomax HP200, 30 tube collector installed on new-build for eco-friendly letting. A 250 litre mains pressure hot water cylinder with a 25 year warranty is heated by a gas condensing boiler and solar energy for low running costs.

The Local Authority were keen to have renewables included in the refurbishment of these listed barns. Roof integrated flat plates were just right.

Thermomax HP200 20 tube heat pipe collector. One of 40+ systems we have installed in the Southend area under their £1100 grant scheme. Sadly this grant is no longer available. Please call your local council to lobby for grants in your area.

Veissmann Vitosol 200 20 tube collector providing domestic hot water for 250 litre mains pressure cylinder.

The Gardeners shower room. This project was unusual because we used a larger solar collector and a 250 litre mains pressure hot water cylinder which provided hot water for a shower and space heating.

Twelve Sunstar unglazed flat plate solar collectors used to heat a large 74 square metre outdoor pool. The collectors were mounted on black treated timber, screwed down on to the customers tin roof for a low cost installation.

The system is completely automated so the customer can sit back and relax in the sun.