Energy minister unveils zero-carbon housing development

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has developed 10 so-called eco-homes in Chalvey, Slough, in a project designed to understand the changing role of the energy supplier in a low-carbon society.

Over the next two years, the community will be studied to better understand what customers will need as the UK moves to reduce its carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.

The company has invested more than £3.5m in the project, which has been dubbed ’Greenwatt Way’.

The site features rainwater harvesting, grey water recycling, triple-glazed windows, enhanced insulation and its own renewable heat hub. Installed are four different renewable heating sources, including air- and ground-source heat pumps, a biomass boiler and solar thermal panels.

Renewable electricity is supplied by the integrated solar photovoltaic (PV) tiles that entirely cover the homes’ roofs, with excess power being sold back to the grid.

The development comprises a mixture of two- and three-bedroom family homes and one-bedroom flats. Tenants move in later this week and include staff from SSE and Slough Borough Council, plus local residents.