Solar Powered Car Park for Council Highways Depot in Houghton Regis
Central Bedfordshire Council has installed solar panels directly onto the road surface of its Thorn Turn highways depot car park. The energy from these solar panels will be used to light, heat and power the depot. The solar panels, which have been laid in partnership with infrastructure contractor Colas Ltd, can generate up to 17,400kW of electricity an hour. This would provide enough energy for around five houses a year. Vehicles will still be able to drive directly on the panels, in the same way as a regular road surface, with the panels generating power through sunlight at the same time. The panels will reduce CO2 emissions, helping the council to reduce its carbon footprint and support the council’s aim for the depot to be run completely on renewable energy. It’s one example of how the council is working towards becoming net zero by 2030 as detailed in the Sustainability Plan. This is the third ADEPT Live Labs trial, where the council is piloting three renewable energy projects,
