WESTERN Solar Ltd, a small start-up business in North Pembrokeshire has been given a big boost.

Two housing associations working in partnership agreement with the Cilgerran-based company have agreed to proceed with projects in Carmarthenshire and North Pembrokeshire.

Earlier this year Carl Sergeant, the Welsh Government’s cabinet secretary for housing announced an innovation grant to stimulate new ideas in housing. Pembrokeshire Housing and Coastal Housing will be the beneficiaries of this fund for delivery in the 2018/2019 timescale.

Both developments will he innovative Ty Solar low energy design pioneered by Western Solar at Wales' first solar village in Glanrhyd, Pembrokeshire, earlier this year.

Ty Solar homes are specifically for the affordable sector, use 12 per cent of the energy of a traditional home and are made entirely out of wood sourced from Wales.

The company believes in the multiplier effect of its part manufactured concept to bring new jobs and skills, substantially improve the well-being of the occupants of their homes and reduce the need for energy from the grid.

The solar village has now been occupied for six months and residents report high levels of satisfaction with their new homes. They enjoy ultra-low energy bills, a shared electric car, comfortable temperatures in all seasons and a much improved sense of well-being.

Western Solar chief executive Glen Peters said: “As a small enterprise we’re delighted to have such excellent partners on board early in our development. We have huge ambitions to expand the idea of sustainable homes throughout Wales and judging by the way our concept has been received by other social housing providers, we remain optimistic.

“These projects will be a boost for the development of sustainable timber homes which still face resistance from the established institutions such as insurers, lenders and valuation agents.

“We have spent £2m researching and developing a sustainable timber building system that is 100 per cent British, powered by solar energy. We plan to leverage our investment in a joint venture to create 1,000 homes across the UK.

“In developing these homes, we have sought to exploit the availability of native Welsh wood. Local materials and labour in the construction will ensure that jobs and supply chains are created.”