A Welsh company is launching a high technology car-port which puts rivals in the shade, using advanced solar power panels.
BiPVco of Newport also produces flexible panels for the roofs of boats, motor homes, caravans and commercial vehicles and its product is being used on the latest patient transport vehicles ordered by the Welsh Ambulance Service Trusts as part of a £13.5M transport deal.
When fixed to vehicle roofs it is flexible enough not to be damaged by vibrations and comes as a complete integrated product so there is no need for plug-in chargers at vehicle depots or remote locations. The panels generate enough electricity, even on cloudy days to run comms equipment in the ambulances, for instance, and recharge traction batteries.
Leo Powell is sales manager at BiPVco, Imperial Park, Newport, and said the automotive products had developed from the company’s original business supplying the construction and building industry after it was seed funded by Tata Steel.
A launch of the new Kappion & Webasto car ports system using a high quality made to measure aluminum frame, the self adhesive panels and an intelligent charging control will be at the company’s premises on 12 June, supported by Volvo Cars of Cardiff.
“No one supplies a complete turn-key package like ours,” said Leo. “The solar car ports are made to measure for a client and range from a single domestic unit to scores which can be set up in a business parking area.”
The encouragement towards using more electric vehicles has been hampered by limited charging points and in some cases physical problems of trailing cables over pedestrian areas, but this is not the case with the BiPVco system.
“We think we have the right product at the right time for an important sector of society and future transport needs.”
The launch of the Green Fleet Initiative at BiPVco will be performed by Rhun ap Iorwerth, Welsh Assembly and Plaid Cymru Member.