Solarmatrix designed and installed a solar system at The University of Western Australia (UWA) to recharge a fleet of electric bicycles on campus. The complete system was designed in combination with the Australian companies Solar Bike, Penny Farthings Pushbike Parking and the facilities management team at the University.
This project aims to provide a practical and environmentally friendly means of transport to UWA. It also aims to reduce parking congestion and the cost of transport to University. The electric bicycle shed has charging points for 16 electric bicycles and is free to use by all staff and students, a quick email to UniPark will provide swipe card access and lockers.
The installed 2.3 kW system featuring SolarWorld panels from Germany's largest solar manufacturer, is guaranteed to produce an average of more than 9 kilowatt-hours each day for 25 years. Each bicycle has a range of about 40 km with light pedaling and will consume a daily maximum of 0.4 kilowatt-hours to fully recharge from flat. There is sufficient energy generated to power 22 e-bikes for a distance of 40 km each day.
Excess energy generated is fed into the grid to offset other electric demand by the University. Additional benefits include freeing up car parking spaces, a healthy no sweat and no stress ride to work, lower car maintenance and no parking costs. Using electric bicycles recharged by solar instead of driving can save 80 liters of petrol per day and over $40,000 per year. The electric bicycles used by the University include a range of bicycles that have been made electric with Solar Bikes conversion kits; providing a custom and high quality solution.
This system shows some forward thinking from the University and is a great demonstration system for other organisations to follow. Parking, traffic, health and fossil fuel consumption are becoming ever greater problems and this is the type of solution that can alleviate some of the damage caused by human movement.
Electric bicycles are a very practical form of transport for all age groups and are great for dealing with Perths hot and windy summers and hilly terrain. For more information, please visit www.solarmatrix.com.au
http://www.solarmatrix.com.au/projects/solar-bike-shed-university-western-australia
