Environmena has been appointed to provide on-site solar energy for InstaVolt’s electric vehicle charging “super hub” in Winchester.
The new super hub, currently under development, will feature 44 ultra-fast EV chargers, which will be 100% powered by on-site solar energy thanks to Environmena.
Environmena will install a ground-mounted solar panel at the superhub site, as well as a roof-mounted system at the on-site café that will be part of the superhub. A battery energy storage system (BESS) will also be installed to harness excess energy from the solar panels and store it for later use. Construction of the superhub began in June and is expected to be completed by spring 2025.
“The Enviromena team knows the area well, having worked with residents and community groups in Winchester during construction, and continue to manage the neighboring solar farm. We are very excited to be part of this upcoming project,” said Lee Adams, Chief Commercial Offer of Enviromena. “At Enviromena we are always looking to push the boundaries in innovation and it is great to be working with InstaVolt – a company that is closely aligned with our own mission to reduce CO2 emissions through sustainable alternatives .
“Thanks to the on-site solar supply, power is immediately available and easily accessible, and the battery energy storage system allows energy to be stored when not in use. It’s a win-win situation.”
InstaVolt CEO Delvin Lane added: “Our choice of partners for this site was critical, the Winchester superhub is a flagship site and we needed cutting-edge technologies that would deliver these results, and we knew we could continue with Enviromena working together would get exactly that.”
Lane also noted: “This is an important milestone for us and will be a game changer for EV drivers. Connecting the south to the Midlands and beyond, the site will be a gateway to the Jurassic Coast and the South West for EV drivers who can travel with confidence knowing they can stop, enjoy a drink or a bite to eat. and receive fast and reliable charging”
Lane added that the upcoming Winchester location is the first of InstaVolt’s new “generation of super hubs that will serve the growing number of drivers choosing a greener future.” InstaVolt has previously set ambitious targets for the installation of EV chargers, aiming to install 11,000 fast charging points by 2030.
Solar charging
Interest in solar EV charging is increasing and many organizations are working to bring this technology to life. Beam Global has been working to install solar EV chargers at several British Army bases in Cyprus, with many solar EV ARC chargers installed to power EVs used on the Army base.
Cars aren’t the only vehicles at the center of solar charging. A recent project between Cornwall Council and e-bike rental company Beryl plans to install rubber solar panels at several Beryl charging stations across the county.
