- By Yamuna Bindu
Currently, 40% of the UK’s electricity comes from fossil fuels, which puts a significant burden on the country’s natural resources. Here’s how pop-up solar car parks can help us maximize the use of clean power and move towards a sustainable future.
With the UK government’s decision to ban fuel cars by 2030 and move to EVs, there’s only one way to make a successful transition – by expanding the charging infrastructure. Even with large-scale EV adoption, a lack of adequate charging infrastructure is a serious concern.
When British tech company 3ti opened its first round of crowdfunding for its EV charging hub Papilio3, it broke the initial investment target of €500,000 in the first hour Papilio3 is a first-of-its-kind mini solar car park and charging prototype designed to meet the demand for EV charging infrastructure in the UK.
Currently, 40% of the UK’s electricity comes from fossil fuels, which puts a significant burden on the country’s natural resources. Pop-up solar car parks can help us maximise the use of clean power and move towards a sustainable future.
Let’s see how mini solar car parks can revolutionize the EV charging space.
What are pop–up solar car parks?
A pop-up mini solar car park and charging hub can be deployed in just 24 hours. It is built from recycled shipping containers and supports up to 12 fast EV charge points. It requires minimal ground work, no planning requirements (in most cases), and no new grid connection.
Solar car parks are available to customers on a monthly rental basis and require no capital investment from them. The features of the modular unit include:
- Support for 36 solar panels
- Battery storage of 25kWh
- 12 fast EV charge points at 7, 11, and 22 kW
The company has installed 9.57MW of solar PV across 2,500 parking spaces in the country. It allows EV drivers to charge in a reliable and safe way. 3ti has already deployed its first unit at Surrey Research Park in Guildford, UK. It aims to have at least 30 running units by the end of the year.
Becoming EV-ready for a sustainable future
Putting a strong emphasis on sustainability, pop-up solar car parks integrate three technologies – solar electric generation, battery energy storage systems, and EV charge points. The solar charging system rapidly charges the vehicle and reduces the carbon intensity of the electricity used in the process, contributing to the decarbonization of the UK’s transport industry.
This rapid charging system moves away from the traditional service station fueling model. Instead, it offers an alternative – destination and workplace charging when the vehicle is parked. Thus, the EV can achieve enough charge to cover the day’s driving needs in a carbon-efficient way.
With its commitment to renewable energy, solar car parks can provide secure, clean, consistent solar energy and low carbon but fast-charging EV infrastructure.
Conclusion
The instant achievement of 3ti’s funding target is indicative of the public’s belief in the concept of solar car parks. Undeniably, 3ti’s innovation will shift the focus to renewable energy sources and reduce the country’s dependence on carbon-intensive energy for electric vehicle charging.
Already have an integrated EV charging infrastructure in your car park? Get My Parking’s solutions allows you to digitally control and manage Value Added Services like EV charging remotely via our intelligent smart parking management platform.
Link: https://blog.getmyparking.com/2022/04/19/solar-powered-cars-facts-or-fiction/
Source: https://blog.getmyparking.com