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Dorset Company Launches "˜eco Park' Solar Powered Car Port
A specialist renewable energy company based in Dorset has launched a new solar car port system which looks set to impress homeowners, motorists and businesses alike.
H2Eco, based at Holton Heath in Poole have designed the integrated parking solution which combines an architectural car parking canopy with a highly efficient solar photo-voltaic system.
The modular design, which is manufactured in Dorset, has been constructed to suit a number of applications, from a single domestic car port up to a large scale commercial multi car parking installation.
Director at H2Eco Mike Stephenson commented, "As a company we are passionate about renewable energy and always looking for pioneering ways to integrate green energy solutions into everyday life. Eco Park ticks lots of boxes, being a great alternative to homeowners who don't want panels on their roof but would like to enjoy the benefits of solar energy, up to vehicle manufacturers or those managing large municipal car parks."
Eco Park is manufactured from galvanised steel and can be powder coated in a range of colours. The aesthetically pleasing design offers quick installation, low maintenance and the potential to save up to £530 each year on household energy bills.
The Eco Park system has drawn attention from a number of electric vehicle manufacturers who can see the huge environmental benefits the car port has to offer. H2Eco partner Mike Stephenson added, "Already we have had interest from Westover Nissan who sell the popular Nissan Leaf fully electric car. Eco Park can be constructed to incorporate car charging points for electric vehicles or can simply be connected to the existing power supply to cut down on mains electricity usage."
The Nissan Leaf was the first car of its kind to be launched in the UK and has proved to be immensely popular not only with drivers seeking a family sized model with good performance, but those who want to drastically cut fuel costs and do their bit for the environment.
Eco Park has the potential to generate 1,900 kW hours from a 1.8kw solar system which would power up a Nissan Leaf to drive 8,000 miles per year, plus would help the planet by reducing carbon emissions. Based on current petrol prices this could represent a saving of around £1,500 each year.
Mike went on to say "For those who have invested in an electric car or are considering doing so, this is yet another step forward to being a green motorist. Even if you don't drive an electric vehicle the solar car port can feed energy back into your home or business which you can either use, thus substantially reducing your energy bills, or is sold back to the national grid earning you money from the feed in tariff."
The H2Eco team is hoping to get involved with a number of local authorities, supermarket chains or private car park management companies to see Eco Park installed on a larger scale. In most European countries outdoor car parking areas have some areas designated as under cover from car ports, and this ground-breaking idea provides both shelter and energy production in one. By utilising this system organisations could work towards meeting their corporate social responsibility and environmental initiatives and targets.
Sallyann Tanner, Electric Vehicle Relationship Manager at Westover Nissan said, "We are immensely impressed with the Eco Park system. We can envisage all sorts of practical ways to utilise it, and of course it fits superbly with our 100% electric Nissan Leaf car. There is no doubt that motorists are getting more switched on to the potential of electric vehicles, and I can see Eco Park being widely installed at homes, offices and car showrooms across the country. We are proud to be involved at the birth of this exciting new concept."
The official launch of the pioneering product was held at the H2Eco premises in Holton Heath, Poole where Annette Brooke MP Mid Dorset & North Poole attended to see the new Eco Park product, plus how the H2Eco team fully utilise renewable energy and "˜green' systems at their unit. The MP was shown the energy management programmes, solar PV and solar thermal, air source heat pumps and rainwater harvesting.
Speaking at the launch Annette Brooke MP commented, "I think this solar car port is a fantastic idea. I am an exponent of eco-friendly products and I am delighted to support the Eco Park project which is both designed and manufactured here in Dorset. I am actually hoping to have an electric car, and if it can be powered with renewable energy, even better. I wish H2 Eco every success and hope we will soon see these solar car ports is wide use across the country.
"I was also interested to learn that H2Eco have installed an electric vehicle charging point which can be used free of charge. This is testament to their truly "˜green' credentials, and is I believe, the only free charging point for miles around."
