Plan includes electric car charging station

Alternative Energy Systems (Bermuda) Ltd. released its proposed plans for a 1.12MW solar array which would be installed above the top level of Bull’s Head Car Park. 

AES said the estimated energy production of the system in the first year would be 1,652MWh. 

AES first presented its proposal for a 1.12MW solar array to the Corporation of Hamilton in May of 2012. A formal Request For Proposal (RFP) for the proposed project was issued by the CoH in December 2012, with a submission deadline of January 31, 2013. 

On January 25, 2013 the CoH notified RFP respondents by e-mail that it was suspending the RFP so talks could take place between the Corporation and BELCO on the topics of interconnection to the BELCO grid and a purchase rate for electricity. 

The system would feed directly into the CoH Depot building and offset dirty fossil fuel energy that is currently purchased from BELCO and used by the Corporation’s properties. It is proposed that the system would be owned and operated by an investor consortium that would achieve a return on investment through the sale of energy to the Corporation at preferential rates for the municipality. 

Savings

AES says the Corporation would receive the benefits of long-term fixed preferential electricity rates, access to energy from a renewable source and shading for its top level parking area.

  The system would be supported above the top level of the car park with a steel structure that ties into the existing framework. The double array design would tilt to the south to offer added energy production and allow for rain run-off. 

A water management system and an LED lighting system would be included. 

AES would also incorporate the Island’s first electric car charging stations into the array for motorists who purchase electric cars and would like to re-charge at the car park.