new build provence

dwilko1

Hi
We are negotiating to buy land in Provence with a view to a new build. We are thinking of building a straw bale house, with solar/heat pump ( which ?) underfloor heating and installing photovoltaic for producing electricity.
I am most interested in your views, as like other people there is an awful lot of !!!!!!!! re these technologies on the internet........eg what is the greenest and most efficient method of insulation for roofs floors etc.
We have over 300 days of sunshine/annum with temps rising to 40 C in summer and as low as -10 c in the winter.
I would very much appreciate your views as to the best way forward. I look forward to any contributions............thanks in anticipation.
Wilko

Cardew

Firstly you need to find out the position on electricty prices in your area of France.

They have some very cheap overnight electricity, due to the nuclear power stations being unable to be taken off grid at night - so the tariffs available will have a huge influence on your heating options.

Obviously with cheap electricity heat pumps are an even better option - preferably with some sort of heat store(essentially a huge tank of hot water heated on cheap rate electricity)

Solar hot water is a joke in money saving terms in UK - and you need to check if there are any large subsidies in France to change the picture.

Solar PV cells attract huge subsidies in UK for retro-fitting, but less for new builds. They are still very expensive to install and their viability is totally dependant on what subsidies the French give for new build.

daytona600_2

france has just announced recently
one of the worlds highest FITs feed in tarriffs in the world
you sell your solar pv energy into there national grid
far higher than ours - complain to your MPs
two levels higher in northern france due to slightly lower number of
hours of sun compared to the south

a bit like ours where scotland gets higher grants than england

a on grid connected pv electric roof system is your best bet in france
or combine with a wind turbine for a hybrid on grid system
or if remote use a off grid system with batteries

dwilko1 wrote: »

Hi
We are negotiating to buy land in Provence with a view to a new build. We are thinking of building a straw bale house, with solar/heat pump ( which ?) underfloor heating and installing photovoltaic for producing electricity.
I am most interested in your views, as like other people there is an awful lot of !!!!!!!! re these technologies on the internet........eg what is the greenest and most efficient method of insulation for roofs floors etc.
We have over 300 days of sunshine/annum with temps rising to 40 C in summer and as low as -10 c in the winter.
I would very much appreciate your views as to the best way forward. I look forward to any contributions............thanks in anticipation.
Wilko

choille

Warmcell is a good insulation made from the Yellow pages & treated with borax. I don't know if there are installers or this product in France.
I also don't know what their Planning requirements are. I think you'd best check what is allowed/required first before doing any purchasing of any products - never mind land.