September 2010 South West Building & Construction 11 ENVIRONMENT TOPICS


Journey makes a solar point


SOLAR photovoltaics from Totnes-based Becosolar have been used to power an old Landcruiser vehicle taking part in a 25,000-mile journey from London to Cape Town to raise money for SolarAid.


Becosolar normally installs PV systems on buildings ranging from domestic houses to large-scale community and industrial projects. The London to Cape Town project aimed to show both car manufacturers and individuals how solar photovoltaics can be used on a vehicle to reduce the impact of climate change. Ancillary mechanisms on


vehicles such as air conditioning, power steering and electricity can use up to 30 per cent of the engine’s power. Solar has been used to power the assisted steering and the cooling fan, as well as


additional items needed for the trip such as an air compressor for the tyres, LED and mosquito lights, mobile phones and laptops, the car stereo, cameras and the solar powered kettle.


Commenting on the Over Land in The Sun journey, Gwyn Roberts from the project said: ‘We first heard about Becosolar after it supported a solar fridge initiative in Sudan, but have since come across some of its work while working in sustainable building for the UK Government. We have been very happy with the results gained from installing the system which has gone beyond our expectations.’ By installing the solar for ancillary equipment, the vehicle saved about four per cent on fuel consumption. This meant the solar panels saved


Solar photovoltaics from Becosolar have been used to help power this vehicle.


more than 358 litres of fuel and around a tonne of CO2, the equivalent of a flight from London to Nairobi and approximately the amount needed to heat an average detached home by gas for a month. The team produced less CO2 on the trip than the average person in the UK over the same period.


SolarAid aims to tackle both


climate change and global poverty by bringing clean, renewable power to the poorest people in the world. The project aimed to raise £20,000 for SolarAid whilst demonstrating an alternative way of how solar can be used to reduce climate change. Contact Becosolar on 01803 866329 or by emailing info@becosolar.com.


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