Solar Powering IRS micro blocks

The purpose of this document is to give a brief explanation of the means by which the use of solar power can aid the installation of IRS into the smallest apartment blocks. These so-called micro blocks can best be identified as being those blocks that fall into the following categories.

Blocks of circa 12 homes or less
Blocks where there is no landlords power
Blocks where a landlords power supply is cost prohibitive.
Terraces of houses (strictly speaking not micro blocks)
Areas of special study or demonstration (green or grid connected areas)

Solar powered IRS is a comparatively new concept made possible now due to several recent developments, most notably the decreasing cost of solar panels, the increased availability of so-called high efficiency encapsulated designs and purpose designed ultra low draw transistor stages now useable in antenna amplifiers (courtesy of the mobile phone industry)

February 2009

FTTH satellite and IRS systems have now been in trial for some months on the special trial site in Suffolk. My spies tell me that all is going well and that there have been no equipment failures to date.

January 2009

Many suppliers are confirming double digit percentage increases in prices for technology.

IRS and MATV technology prices, in some instances have risen by 12% or more. The fact is that this is all due to the “credit Crunch” and the £ v $ exchange rate, the £ having fallen by some 35% in the last six months. The same is happening to the £ v € exchange so even European manufacturers are rising prices fast.