SOLA WON!!!!!!!!!!!!
In recognition of their work SOLA has been awarded by SEAI -Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland the “Residential Energy Upgrades Award “for 2022 on a project completed for Tipperary County Council.
SOLA Energy Solutions is a provider & installer of Renewable Energy Systems to the New build and Retrofit Market in Ireland. Through a combination of hard work, dedication, skills, and teamwork SOLA has grown from strength to strength in being part of the positive changes in Ireland’s Landscape.
The winning project entailed the complete renovation to include Energy Efficiency Measures of five semi-d houses built in 1966 purchased by Tipperary County Council in Templemore with a BER Rating Of “G” to be upgraded to BER Rating of “A”.
Sola was awarded the contract and commenced on site May 2020 with a timeline of 6 months to complete. With the housing Crisis as it is the Council were under pressure to get these houses to standard and available to tenants -SOLA handed back houses in December 2020
Each house was completely gutted & demolition of side garages and new extensions built, the Energy Upgrade works included key elements of design under the guidance of McHugh Glynn & Associates, the works completed on each house were
House Fabric upgrades
- EWI – External Wall insulation
- CWI – Cavity Wall Insulation on new extensions
- Trocal Warm Roofs
- Floor insulation
- Door & window Passive triple glaze
Heating & Ventilation
- Mitsubishi Ecodan 5kW Air to Water HP
- Aereco DCV Ventilation system
- New plumbing & Electrical throughout
- Airtightness measures
- Eco design Stoves with CAI
- Leds
The Tipperary County Council – while been progressive had not completed a project of this standard- the initial challenge for them was to find a contactor with the experience to deliver.
Sola having undertaken over 200 Full house Energy Upgrades since 2015, had the team and skills to deliver but also the know-how and expertise to ensure the best energy processes and materials were used on this investment. The critical success factors where that Sola had the internal staff & skills to deliver and a dedicated team of subbies who work to both SOLA & SEAI standards ensuring quality and excellent work.
Sola experience in project management ensured that the 5 house would be done in tandem even with the added Covid 19 element while challenging at times- we just had to always rethink the process and man management on site adhering to social distancing and safety of all.
The Fore sight of the Tipperary County Council and with the skills of SOLA to complete the upgrade of these houses using energy efficient renewable technology and materials shows the time for change has been embraced.
SOLA have been pioneering as a contractor, the implementation of energy Efficiency upgrade measures with Electrical Ireland Superhomes and Better Energy Community since 2015 – to be get the opportunity to work on this project and showcase what a small local employer can achieve with the right skills and team around them is a great reflection on the available workforce & what standards can be achieved on homes through Ireland.
This project that SOLA completed encourages the improvement of Labour Skills in the market with bodies like Tipperary ETB offering specific training and with the demand for upgrades – SOLA is committed to the industry and better environmental changes for the future.
