The demand for energy efficiency in residential buildings, especially flats and apartments, is more pressing than ever. Architects, property developers, M&E consultants & engineers and build-to-rent (B2R) developers face challenges in balancing rising construction costs with compliance to increasingly stringent regulations.
Among these, Part L of the Building Regulations and SAP 10.2 play pivotal roles in defining how buildings must meet energy performance and carbon emission standards.
This article explores these challenges, the impact of Part L and SAP 10.2, and how innovative technologies can help overcome these hurdles.
Architects and engineers working on apartment buildings must contend with complex design considerations while meeting regulations designed to reduce carbon emissions. With the introduction of updated standards, integrating renewable energy sources like solar PV has become essential, not just to achieve regulatory compliance, but also to enhance overall building performance.
You can read more about solar for new-build flats here.
Part L of the Building Regulations in the UK focuses on Conservation of Fuel and Power, setting out requirements to ensure buildings are energy efficient and have a reduced environmental impact. It plays a crucial role in aligning construction practices with the UK's broader Net Zero Carbon goals by 2050.
The updated Part L regulations (effective from June 2022 in the UK) have introduced stricter requirements for energy efficiency and carbon emissions in buildings, with a clear emphasis on integrating renewable energy solutions like solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Solar PV systems generate renewable electricity on-site, reducing reliance on grid energy and lowering carbon emissions. The updated Part L regulations acknowledge the role of solar PV as a practical, scalable, and cost-effective method to meet the tighter energy performance targets for both residential and non-residential buildings.
SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) evaluates the energy performance of residential buildings. Introduced in 2022 in England and Wales, SAP 10.2 made a significant regulatory change: solar systems not directly connected to apartments no longer contribute to SAP scores or provide Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) uplifts.
This presents a challenge for apartment buildings where traditional solar PV systems are connected to common areas of apartment buildings only, which doesn't benefit residents. However, innovative solutions like Allume’s world-first Solar PV Sharing Technology (SolShare) ensure that apartments can fully utilise the benefits of solar power without this limitation.
Allume’s SolShare is transforming how solar PV integrates into flats or apartments. This technology offers a simple and cost-effective solution to connect solar power to flats while delivering significant benefits for the asset owners.
Unlike individual solar PV systems for each flat, SolShare provides a shared infrastructure that minimises installation and maintenance costs, making it a scalable solution for both retrofits and new builds.
Through Allume’s RIBA-accredited CPD course, professionals in architecture, property development, and electrical engineering services can gain a better understanding on how SolShare’s technology complies with new building regulations (Part L and SAP 10.2) for the energy performance of new and existing buildings.
This course is currently available until 31st January 2025. Get in touch to book your free session now.
By the end of this CPD, you’ll learn: