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An
innovative solar photovoltaic
(PV) canopy in London's East End
marks the start of a new partnership
between the Environment Trust
and renewable energy supplier,
Green Energy UK. The station will
power a new go-kart track in Mile
End Park, and will also help supply
green energy to area homes and
businesses. Tower Hamlets Council
has given planning permission
for the UK Pound 1.4 million (US
$2.7 million) park development.
A 110 kW canopy of PV panels made
by Sanyo will cover the track
to generate electricity. An arched
steel structure will support the
seven sets of hybrid, amorphous
and polycrystalline PV panels
together with a combination of
translucent white and transparent
clear fabric panels, which are
intended to keep the rain off
and allow daylight through.
The canopy has been organized
to support south-facing 'blades',
which will be inclined at around
40 degrees to face the part of
the sky that is brightest on average
over the year. The design should
maximize the output of solar energy,
making it as efficient as possible
in UK light conditions. It will
achieve 1.4 percent of the total
of renewable energy targets for
installed PV by 2010, and six
percent of the target in commercial
buildings as set out in the Mayor
of London's draft energy strategy |
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The
project was inspired by The
Environment Trust, which has
championed community initiatives
and regeneration.
"We are interested in the
means of supply and production,
and Green Energy UK is the only
company which we think is ethical
enough and whose credentials
are sufficiently green,"
Jon Aldenton, Chief Executive
of The Environment Trust. "Together
we are determined to shift people's
perceptions about sustainable
energy."
Excess electricity generated
by the station will be bought
by Green Energy UK.
Doug Stewart, who is the chief
executive of Green Energy UK,
said "We estimate this
project alone will result in
an annual saving of 38 tons
of carbon dioxide. And the Trust
will have the added benefit
of selling the surplus electricity,
giving it extra money to invest
in other amenities in the park."
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