Containerised solar car park boasts Scottish Highlands’ EV infrastructure
Surrey based designer, installer, funder and operator of solar car parks, 3TI, has completed the installation of a pop-up solar car park and electric vehicle (EV) charging hub at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, Scotland.
The Papilio3 installation is the first of its kind in Scotland and provides hospital users with access to 12 charge points boosted by renewable energy.
The rapidly installed unit has helped Raigmore Hospital quickly increase its EV charging infrastructure and will encourage EV adoption in the area.
With a fleet of EVs already in operation at the hospital, the pop-up charger will support destination and workplace charging, while addressing the growing demand for EV charging in an area where long dwell times are common.
The multi award-winning Papilio3 is built around a recycled shipping container and can be installed in under eight hours. Easily transported and set up almost anywhere, Papilio3 units are already in operation at several locations across the UK, resolving many of the challenges facing transport, energy and infrastructure sectors.
The system is pre-fitted with a back-office billing system and various user features. For instance the water-tight canopy keeps EV drivers dry, while energy saving motion sensors automatically operate the lights when a customer approaches. Fully operational CCTV provides safety and security for the public.
Papilio3 is available from 3ti on a rental contract and therefore requires no capital investment by customers. With a solar capacity of 19.32kWp, the installed Papilio3 will generate on average 18MWh of electricity annually – which equates to over 63,000 miles of EV range – and can fast charge up to 12 EVs simultaneously at 7, 11 or 22kW.
Brian Johnstone, Head of Energy, Environment and Sustainability at NHS Highland, said, “As part of our commitment to supporting the delivery of healthcare in the future, we understand that our environmental responsibilities go beyond our own services. As an organisation, we are looking to develop innovative ways to harness electricity and utilise renewable energy on-site which Papilio3 is a great example of. With the introduction of Papilio3, NHS Highland is now better positioned to support patients, staff and visitors with EVs at Raigmore. We hope that this investment in EV infrastructure helps to convince others to make the switch over to zero-emission vehicles.”
Shaun Wightman-Smith, Business Development Managerat 3ti, commented, “We are proud to deliver another Papilio3, adding to our growing portfolio of applications, this time in the Scottish Highlands. The location showcases the impressive capability of our innovative solar car park, which is designed to provide EV charging infrastructure and reduce grid dependency to a range of facilities in different locations in the UK.