Like many people, Martin Jones thinks that solar panels are a great idea but can look ugly – particularly on the roofs of traditional housing. Owners often have to choose between electricity generating photovoltaic (PV) panels and water-heating thermal collectors because of limited space to accommodate both. To overcome this issue, Martin has designed an efficient, modular, thermal-PV hybrid system that maximises the solar-gathering acreage of any rooftop in a more attractive package.
Martin’s company, Ugly Duckling Renewables Ltd, will use existing technologies to produce a range of retrofit panel options, priced to suit various budgets that are more sympathetic with traditional housing. This includes an option that blends into the roofline for sensitive or conservation status installations.
Martin has greatly appreciated the support and focus he has received from the Regional Talent Engines programme so far. He says: “It has helped accelerate my ideas so much further forward in just months, compared to what I’d manged to achieve alone over several years! The scheme has given me an opportunity to be challenged, to explore and to share ideas with peers, in a positive and supportive environment.”
Ugly Duckling’s system is now undergoing prototyping with a view to being ready for proof of concept and viability evaluation by the end of the year. As a hybrid, it will offer efficiency and cost advantages over existing separate systems. Martin hopes his design will appeal to a wider customer base, encouraging a solar system uptake resurgence at a time when energy prices are foremost in the nation’s conscience.