Romag introduces PowerPark solar carport
A new solar carport has just been launched in the UK from a company called Romag Holdings, a firm that produces "specialist transparent composites" including laminated photovoltaic panels. Called PowerParks, these carports would act as a shelter and charging point for electric vehicles. Each unit has a peak output of 150 kilowatts. When there's nothing plugged in to the PowerPark, the solar power is fed back into the grid, so the energy collected is never wasted.
So far, there's only one PowerPark installation at Romag's corporate headquarters, but that's likely to change in the near future. According to the company, supermarket chains, schools, airports, train stations, hospitals and commercial office buildings all around the world have all shown an interest in the units. There's even a chance that the solar canopy could make its way across the pond and into the United States. At this point, pricing isn't set in stone but is reportedly comparable to other photovoltaic solutions.
[Source: Wired]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Swede 9:28AM (4/01/2009)
Excellent idea!
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Lou Grinzo 9:53AM (4/01/2009)
Now imagine rows of these in parking lots at airports, businesses, universities, etc.
And then imagine the same technology used on the roof of a few million suburban garages.
By a wide margin, the two most important numbers in our energy and environmental situation are the price of solar panels and the price of PHEV and EV batteries. Both are declining, but once they reach a critical level, we'll see very dramatic changes in transportation.
Of course, the idiots who don't know how to drive will still be a pain in the neck, but at least they'll be using far less oil and emitting less CO2 when they're annoying me.
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Willie 10:02AM (4/01/2009)
"Each unit has a peak output of 150 kilowatts"? Sounds like a typo, or perhaps just hype. Unless these carports are 10 x 15 meters in area and 100% efficient, they aren't going to generate that kind of power. The one shown is two bay. To deliver 150 KW peak, assuming 20% efficient PV arrays, they would need to have an area of ~750 sq. meters, approximately 5 x 150 meters, or perhaps 50 bays.
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Matt 2:41PM (4/01/2009)
what he said ^
paulwesterberg 10:41AM (4/01/2009)
jeremy's copy'n'paste is broken, from tfa:
Each PowerPark canopy is rated at 1.5 kilowatt peak.
This is a much more reasonable number.
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MT 10:42AM (4/01/2009)
Now they just need a PEV to charge instead of an '09 Honda Fit/Jazz.
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Nick 1:33PM (4/01/2009)
Too ugly to be true, and what's that solar panel texture on the inside? It looks out of perspective.
I call it an April's fool
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jpm 1:44PM (4/01/2009)
Put those precious panels on a tracker!
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analog 1:45PM (4/01/2009)
It's no joke. Romag PowerGlaz is an architectural solar system built on glass.
The texture you are seeing on the inside is the shadow cast by the solar panels, because the roof is transparent. If you follow the link, you can see a close up.
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Craig 3:47PM (4/15/2009)
Wow. This is a great idea. It protects your car from the sun and provides a clean power source at the same time. I just got a carport from http://www.carportempire.com but I didn't even know that they had this technology available. Great timing for the Chevy Volt.
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