Advertising Feature
How Solar Can
Power The Journey To Net Zero
As environmental credentials become increasingly critical to business success, facilities managers are under growing pressure to adapt the physical environment to reflect sustainable strategies.
3ti, the UK’s leading designer, installer and operator of Solar Car Parks (SCPs), believes solar power is the key to unlocking a successful net zero strategy.
Choosing a partner that can fund, design and install solar solutions, as well as operate and maintain the equipment, means facilities managers will benefit from a zero-CAPEX, hassle-free, sustainable SCP installation that is always working at optimal efficiency to deliver the greatest contribution to ESG targets.
As EV adoption rises, there is increasing pressure on workplaces to provide EV charging for staff and visitors. Installation of a SCP with integrated EV charging delivers a staff benefit alongside a fresh revenue opportunity for facilities managers to charge for usage. Destination and workplace charging via SCPs is a clear win for all stakeholders in the EV infrastructure debate and the perfect middle ground between domestic and ultra-rapid transit charging.
One of the key remits for facilities managers is maximising the use and efficiency of the built environment while balancing budgets, ESG commitments and business strategy. Many facilities managers will have at their disposal underutilised space, in the form of car parks, roof space, or land, that can be easily converted into on-site energy-generating assets that not only have clear environmental benefits but also save money and improve the user experience.
The power proximity of on-site solar ensures low-carbon and low-cost electricity by generating power when and where it is used to avoid overpayment associated with energy loss, infrastructure costs and long-distance transmission of grid- supplied electricity.
Crucially, such installations can lock in future electricity supply which is fully funded for the duration of a fixed-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), during which users pay monthly for the electricity generated on-site. This could potentially slice the p/kWh cost in half compared to tariffs from the Big Six. Calculations show that each car parking space covered with solar panels could save up to £1,000 in electricity per year.
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With the latest SCP designs, the user experience has greatly improved over the first generation of public chargers. Reassuring overhead lighting and the security of CCTV, coupled with the latest contactless charging payments systems, means EV charging can be a simple, quick, worry-free process and helps facilities managers deliver a secure external environment.
Furthermore, with the integration of a BESS even more benefits can be realised. When solely grid-powered, EV charging could slow down or even stop at peak times, but if surplus solar or off-peak grid power is stored in a BESS, it can replace or supplement peak grid power with cleaner, lower-cost energy and avoid fluctuations in charging speed or availability, ensuring an EV-driving employee ends their working day with more than enough charge to get home.
With higher electricity costs and price caps only applicable to domestic customers, a wide range of companies - from hospital trusts to airports, large manufacturing plants to offices - are realising the benefits of fixed price, low cost, and low carbon electricity. Finally, something facilities managers, CSR and finance teams alike can agree on.
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