Green light for large solar car park canopy

A large scale roof-mounted and car park canopy solar PV and battery installation has been confirmed to go ahead at Lakeside North Harbour in Portsmouth.

The work consists of 1,820 roof-mounted solar PV panels across 5 buildings, 7,105 solar PV panels installed above existing car parking spaces, creating solar canopies, new charge points able to be installed as demand increases, and 2MW battery installation to store excess solar energy.

The Solar PV system will generate more than 4 million kWh’s a year which is the same as powering 1,300 homes and is projected to save more than 860 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being emitted each year. Installation began on 21 August and will be completed by autumn next year.

Lakeside aims to consume just over 64% of the generated power which equates to 37% of the site’s electricity requirements, the same as over 1,000 homes’ annual electricity consumption.  The battery storage will be controlled to ensure it maximises the benefit to Lakeside North Harbour. In times of high power prices, the battery will discharge to Lakeside to minimise consumption from the grid.  During grid peaks and troughs the battery will discharge/charge, take part in other grid services with any unused power exported to the grid.  

Custom Solar, a Mitie company, will be installing the solar panels, solar canopies, 2MW battery and EV chargers alongside the council’s in-house energy services and building projects team who will be managing and funding the installation.  

Councillor Kimberly Barrett, Cabinet member for Climate Change and Greening the City said:  “We are constantly aiming to improve our solar power in Portsmouth, and to begin working on possibly the largest solar canopy project in the UK is a great step in coming closer to our goal of Net Zero by 2030 and using greener energy in the city.”   

Simon Bateman, Manager at Lakeside said: “This solar project will enable us to have a 100% green electric supply for all 55 businesses at Lakeside. The environment is a fundamental core value at Lakeside – from creating the right atmosphere for our occupier community, to driving sustainability and efficient use of our valuable resources.”

Gary Sucharewycz, Sales Director of Solar and Storage Solutions, Custom Solar, a Mitie company, said:  “With this unique project we’ll be bringing together expertise from across Mitie to deliver a broad range of technology solutions, including rooftop solar and solar car ports, battery storage, LED lighting, electric vehicle charge points and electrical infrastructure services. We’re extremely proud to have been awarded this contract and look forward to continuing our support of the Council and its drive to achieve its net zero goals.” 

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