design + energy + excellence

Category: Energy (Page 1 of 9)

Isabel Completes Postgraduate Certificate in Building Performance

We are proud to announce that Isabel has successfully completed her Postgraduate Certificate in Building Performance (Energy Efficiency in Design) from Technological University Dublin. After a year of dedication, late nights, and countless weekends spent focused on this goal, she officially earned this distinguished qualification.

The course, completed in June, was a transformative journey offering opportunities for learning, reflection, and professional growth. The course was led by the reputable Joseph Little, with the guidance of expert lecturers such as Patrick Daly, Shane Fenton, Beñat Arregi, and Andrew Lundberg.

The curriculum covered several key topics, such as:

  • The transition toward sustainability and decarbonisation of the built environment
  • Building energy/carbon performance, assessment, and modelling
  • Fabric thermal and moisture performance, assessment, and modelling
  • Deep energy retrofit holistic strategies and solutions

A further focus was placed on advanced design and modelling techniques, including:

  • Building Energy Modelling Using PHPP (Passive House Planning Package)
  • Hygrothermal risk assessment
  • Thermal Bridge Calculation
  • Reflective Building Design Practitioner
  • Decarbonising Building Design
  • Net Zero Carbon Residential Design Project
Isabel Barros pictured with Dean Professor James Curtin (left) and Head of Construction Joseph Little (right)

These subjects equipped Isabel with a deeper understanding of energy-efficient design, including how to assess and model building performance, manage thermal risks, and achieve net-zero carbon goals.

Net Zero Home Published in Passive House + Magazine

Our Crossabeg Passive House has been prominently featured in the latest edition of Passive House Plus magazine!

This in-depth 11-page article explains the intricacies of our project, presenting it as a comprehensive case study. It highlights our commitment to sustainable building practices and our ambitious goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions.

Discover how we have seamlessly integrated energy efficiency and innovative low-carbon solutions into this home. The article provides details about the design strategies and technologies that make this Passive House a model of sustainability.

Download the full article here.

Read the full magazine here.

New Planning Exemptions for Solar Installations

Substantial increases to the existing planning exemption thresholds for solar panels are now available.

Two new sets of regulations entitled the Planning and Development Act (Exempted Development) (No.3) Regulations 2022 and the Planning and Development (Solar Safeguarding Zone) Regulations 2022 which have immediate effect have been published on the 7th October 2022 .

Additionally two new classes of exempted development have been introduced.

For clarity, works that benefit from Planning Exemptions do not require Planning Permission.

What are the main changes?

In a nutshell,

  • the 12sqm/ 50% roof limit which applied to houses has been removed nationwide. There is no rooftop limit on houses, regardless of whether the house is located within or outside of a Solar Safeguarding Zone (SSZ). Houses are now able to erect unlimited rooftop solar panels subject to certain conditions.
  • The 50sqm/ 50% roof limit which applied to other specified classes of development has been removed for solar developments that are located outside of an SSZ. Such developments, located outside of an SSZ, are able to erect unlimited rooftop solar panels subject to certain conditions.

The Planning and Development (Solar Safeguarding Zone) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 492 of 2022) support the Planning and Development Act (Exempted Development) (No.3) Regulations 2022 and set out 43 Solar Safeguarding Zones (SSZs) within which a rooftop limit on solar panels continues to apply. The SSZs are applicable to all classes of development other than houses.

Wexford Town Solar Safeguarding Zone

Conditions and Limitations

The Planning and Development Act (Exempted Development) (No.3) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 493 of 2022) set out the main amendments to the existing solar planning exemptions contained in the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (the Principal Regulations). These regulations set out the updated conditions and limitations which apply to the various pre-existing classes of development (e.g. houses, industrial, light industrial, business premises and agricultural).

The exemptions are aimed at increasing Ireland’s generation of solar energy and combating climate change.

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