Cambridge-based solar technology firm Polysolar has supplied its solar glass canopy for installation at a petrol station located in Southampton.
The company claims that the project represents the UK’s first solar glass petrol station canopy.
As reported by Solar Power Portal’s sister site Design-Build Solar, the canopy, which is currently under construction, is slated to complete and open during the summer.
Speaking to Design-Build Solar at Ecobuild, Hamish Watson, CEO of Polysolar, said that the project would utilise the company’s translucent coloured solar glass.
When complete, it will generate more than 400MWh of electricity over the 25-year lifetime of the project and take just five years to pay back.
Watson added: “Our products cross the domain of renewable energy and building materials and are ideally suited to this application. The translucent glass can create clean energy in low light conditions and also from both sides of the panel, capturing much more of the sun’s energy.
“By allowing natural light through to the forecourt area, the glass can significantly reduce the amount of lighting energy required during the day.”