Earlier this year we introduced you to Chargepoint, a network of electric vehicle charging stations that have been installed cities across the US and Canada. Well, making a great idea even better, Carbon Day Automotive recently announced the installation of a Solar Powered Chargepoint station in the city of Chicago. Solar charged electric vehicles? Fantastic!
Designed by Chicago-based Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the station is located at the Department of Fleet Maintenance, and it will be used to power the city’s electric fleet. The setup is simple, taking the sun’s power, and turning it into electricity that can be easily accessed by plug-in vehicles.
Since one of the biggest issues with electric vehicles is their lack of infrastructure, these solar charging stations could offer the perfect solution to this issue. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if these could be deployed in any parking lot everywhere in the world?
+ Chargepoint
Via JetsonGreen
Then again, why not travel with your own solar charging station on your roof?? Columbia ParCar just showed one of their Solar Top vehicles at the NAFA Electric Car show in New Orleans yesterday. Quite a nice balance, and you can park the car anywhere in the sun to get the batteries recharged. Their prototypes in Southern California and Phoenix have run for over 7 months without plugging into a wall socket. I have some pictures if you are interested.
not to be California-centric or anything, but SoCal Edison’s had a solar powered charging station for its fleets since the early 90′s. pretty sure the AQMDs out here have some too. do you guys mean to say, “first in Chicago?” or maybe first “networked” PV-powered EV PHEV charging station?
We are developing a Campus Carbon Reduction Plan for the America College and University President’s Climate Committment (APUPCC). One of our projected projects is a PV charging station on campus, to encourage the use of electric cars and bikes.
Can anyone share with me information about cost of installation: per watt of charge power or any other parameters used in costing these installations. I need this information to prioritize projects and calculate ROI
Thanks,
Lou Schreiber
Santa Fe Community College
Santa Fe, Nm
The midwest (even though it’s my home town) is still very skeptical and conservative. I give mayor Daley a huge kudos for having the balls to be so eco-friendly.