Nottingham City Council is preparing to have two hefty solar panel canopies situated on top of two car parks, the first one being Queen’s Drive Park & Ride and the second one being Colwick Racecourse Park & Ride, both are to be assembled at the same time with finalization predicted by 2015.
The scheme will earn the City Council £216,000 each year, while the arrays are forecast to generate enough energy to power 480 homes annually.
The Queen’s Park solar panel system will contain 4,000 panels and Colwick Racecourse will include 3,000 panels. Together, both areas of the panels will be 10,500 sq metres, substantial enough to cover Nott’s County’s football pitch one and a half times over!
In addition to that, the Queen’s Drive solar panel canopy will help assist in powering Nottingham’s electric bus fleet, as 50% of their fuel needs will be supplied through the PV scheme at charging ports situated at the site.
The council’s portfolio holder for energy and sustainability, Councillor Alan Clark said:
“The move would maintain Nottingham’s position as one of the greenest cities in the UK.
“This is a very exciting project. It is a sound financial investment by the council.
“It will be much better for car drivers, as they will have a roof to protect their cars and we will also be able to re-charge electric buses at the site.
“The long-term hope is for customers to be able to re-charge their cars there, but this is subject to a spate business case.
“We hope that half of what is generated will be used on the site itself, for charging buses and lighting the sites, with the remainder being sold into the grid.”
The council added that the scheme will reduce carbon emissions, lower energy use and boost income from exporting energy to the national grid.
But What is a Solar Panel Canopy?
A solar panel canopy is a structure that integrates solar panels into a canopy design, providing both shade and electricity. These canopies are typically installed over parking lots, walkways, patios, or other outdoor areas where they can serve multiple functions. Here are some key features and benefits of solar panel canopies:
- Shade and Protection: They offer shade for cars, people, or equipment, protecting them from direct sunlight and reducing heat buildup.
- Energy Production: The solar panels on the canopy generate electricity from sunlight, which can be used to power nearby buildings, and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, or be fed back into the electrical grid.
- Efficient Use of Space: By combining the function of a canopy with solar power generation, they make efficient use of available space, particularly in urban or commercial settings where ground space is limited.
- Sustainability: Solar canopies contribute to sustainable energy solutions, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon footprints.
- Cost Savings: Over time, the electricity generated can lead to significant cost savings on energy bills.
- Versatility: They can be designed to fit various spaces and requirements, from small residential carports to large commercial installations.
A solar panel company is a practical and environmentally friendly solution for maximising the utility of outdoor spaces while harnessing renewable energy.
