Harrow Council’s First semi-transparent Solar Canopy

Harrow Council’s First semi-transparent Solar Canopy to one of their Hard-to-Decarbonise Council Houses – 3Kw/Hourly Peak

Identified by Project A.I.R (Artificial Intelligence Guided Retrofit), this landmark project followed Harrow’s successful GLA grant funded bid for fabric-first measures to electric powered homes.  Project-A.I.R is the first AI-enabled concept to deliver proven, ground-breaking efficiencies in the field of housing decarbonisation.

The concept is represented by the creation of a new garden space: a pergola-canopy incorporating Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), in the form of Polysolar’s innovative transparent solar photovoltaic (PV) glass that serves the dual function of structure and power generation unit in one.  The pergola-canopy semi-transparent PV glass will create a 3 Kilowatt (KW)/Peak solar array, capable of delivering a 45% reduction in individual household energy bills throughout the year and helping to address fuel poverty in the borough.

This project represents a UK first for the integration of transparent solar PV glass technology in a social housing retrofit.

A critical and unique factor of this concept is the resulting social value benefits to Harrow Council’s key stakeholders: their residents. By creating a sheltered outdoor space that also helps power the home, a combination of wellbeing and environmental improvements are achieved. The space offers improved opportunities for recreation, such as children’s games, gardening and outdoor dining, as well as relaxation, under the comfort of weather proof shaded and low UV- transmission solar glass.

Installed by Newframe, these sheltered outdoor spaces that also power the home, offer a combination of well-being and environmental improvements that are a critical and unique factor of the concept’s approval. The panels that are bi-facial and 30% more productive as well as having a minimum lifespan of 30 years.
Cllr Mina Parmar, Harrow Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing said;

“We are always open to new ideas that will help us in our plans for a carbon neutral Harrow by 2030.

“This case study is the first of its kind and we are proud to be part of this landmark project which looks at making homes warmer, and as energy efficient in a way never done so before with social housing. Not only that, but it will also help residents lower their energy costs at a time many are experiencing a squeeze on their finances.