PfH and Fusion21 Announce Forthcoming Photovoltaics and Solar Agreement

One of the biggest challenges facing the social housing sector over the next ten years will be the retrofitting of its existing housing stock to meet the joint demands of carbon reduction requirements and fuel poverty among its residents. The Government recognised this challenge in December 2010 when it launched the Green Deal, a framework enabling energy efficiency improvements to homes, community spaces and businesses with no upfront cost, alongside capital payment recovery through a charge in instalments on the energy bill.

After 12 months of in-depth analysis and research, PfH, working in collaboration with Fusion21, has devised the Photovoltaics and Solar Agreement which is part of the Retrofit Solution for the social housing sector. Together, PfH and Fusion21 have worked with consultants; 'Registered Provider' user and product groups; extensive expertise and research through the Tenant Participation and Advisory Service and; Fusion21's Knowledge Transfer Partnership with The University of Salford.

The Retrofit Solution includes two key elements: Procurement Services and; Training and Employment Services.

Procurement Services will include the supply and fit of materials in six key areas, of which the first is Photovoltaics and Solar, due to launch in May 2011.

This framework will include the installation of photovoltaics panels which will generate electricity from the sun for use by householders and/or to export to the National Grid.

Solar Hot Water systems (SHW or Solar Thermal Systems) can use direct or indirect sunlight to heat water for domestic use or in some cases, space heating.

The third part of the Photovoltaics and Solar Agreement will install Voltage Optimisers. These slightly reduce the voltage supplied to appliances. By optimising the voltage at 230v, there is a reduction in wasted energy and the life of the appliances can be increased.

The result of extensive research and development has allowed PfH and Fusion21 to deliver a framework which is not only fully EU compliant, but also delivers the sector value for money, and the most modern and effective Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic technologies in the marketplace. PfH and Fusion21 have developed this project with flexibility, value, and efficiency very much in mind. As such, there are a number of options to social housing customers within this framework – they can have supply only, supply and install, install only, and take advantage of the flexible and extensive merchant tier supply chains, or work directly with manufacturers or installers.

As with all new technologies, the market can often develop within the timescale of a framework, with new technologies and manufacturers emerging. PfH and Fusion21 have recognised this, and taken the deliberate step to award to the merchant tiers, thus introducing the flexibility which allows the framework to constantly offer the social housing sector the most recent developments in Solar Thermal and PV technologies throughout the tender.

Alan Heron, Senior Procurement Manager, PfH said: "This has been in many respects a ground-breaking project within the social housing sector. Not only has this project been delivered in conjunction with Fusion21, but is also the result of extensive research, partnering, and development across multiple sectors and disciplines. Social Housing experts, asset managers, renewable technology engineers, university professors, architects, and procurement professionals have all worked together on this project in a rare example of TRUE collaboration!"

Retrofitting the UK's social housing stock is the sector's biggest challenge of the decade. It is crucial that registered providers manage this correctly - with the cost of meeting carbon emissions and fuel poverty targets being potentially high, the social housing sector needs to obtain value for money at every available opportunity.
PfH will be announcing more details of its Retrofit Agreements between now and September 2011 so please keep checking back to the News section of our website for updates.

If you would like to register your interest in the Retrofit Agreement, have further questions or want more in-depth information, please contact Nicola Mellor on nmellor@procurementforhousing.co.uk or Kimberley Meachin on kmeachin@procurementforhousing.co.uk.