Solaris 2015

Solaris

This is a classic passive solar home built in 1980. It has been retrofitted to reduce both energy and water consumption. It features living areas to the north and northeast, and sleeping areas to the south. It has north facing living area and clerestorey windows for winter warmth, adjustable shading and cooling via cross ventilation and the chimney effect. Thermal mass is used in the slate floor.

It was the first registered, grid connected PV system in Queensland, which has been upgraded from 1.4 to 2.8kW, generating about 12kWh/day. There is a small battery bank for power outages and the system can be run as a stand-alone power system if necessary.Demand is only 3 to 4 kWh/day, due to efficient appliances and lighting, and little need for heating or cooling. Excess solar PV energy is planned for charging an electric vehicle.

A solar water heater provides 92 percent of hot water, with gas as the back-up.

The house and extensive gardens and orchard are watered from mains (30%), rain water tanks (60%) and greywater (10%).