Solar energy signalled as big cost saver for homes

MANY new homes and businesses don’t meet basic design principles that could reduce energy consumption by more than 30% and slash bills, a renewable energy conference heard yesterday.

Paul Dykes of Sustainable Energy Ireland said it was a pity that thousands of new buildings were not designed to make the most from natural solar energy.

He claimed it was possible to design a house that makes the most of the natural heat from the sun without adding to the cost of the building.