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Sunnerbox, photovoltaic solar energy anywhere
Published on 05 February 2021
Spain
Comunitat Valenciana
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The main objective of Sunnerbox is to take the most of solar radiation to as many uses as possible. Solar PV energy is a clean and renewable energy source that contributes to a cleaner and more sustainable world. Solar PV energy is mostly used in large photovoltaic production plants or in small-medium installations for self-consumption in homes/industries. Photovoltaic energy has great potential that could be extended to many uses and locations. With that idea in mind, the company has developed solar energy collection and storage units that can be moved and installed in different locations, allowing access to electrical energy practically anywhere. The units have been started to be settled and tested for different uses as charging points for personal mobility vehicles, mainly electrical bicycles and scooters, uses in temporary activities and events, such as markets, festivals, camps, etc, and taking advantage of existing or temporary decks, such as tourist information booths, kiosk bar, or maritime container decks. Regarding the first of these uses, the city of Rafelbunyol recently installed (Nov-19) 2 free and public charging stations for scooters and electric bicycles, in an industrial park, next to the green infrastructure that connects it to the city. The initiative received funds from the Valencian Institute of Business Competitiveness (IVACE), a public entity from the Regional Government. This initiative has improved the sustainable mobility in the municipality.
Resources needed
The Sunnerbox company, responsible for the patent, operates with a single person on its staff and works in collaboration with other companies (3), each one responsible for a part of the machine (metal part, installation, CE marking), and absorbing its associated costs.
Evidence of success
It contributes to CO2 emissions and fossil fuel use reduction. Its use for recharging with photovoltaic energy (clean energy) of electric bikes and scooters promotes more sustainable means of transport. This system is an alternative to the use of diesel-powered generators, which contributes to the reduction of emissions, and improves air quality. As the units are considered equipment (machines) and not a facility (installation) it presents no administrative proceedings to its use/operation.
Potential for learning or transfer
This good practice promotes the use of renewable energy to as many uses as possible. The system can be applied to many sectors and uses. The solution encourages the use of renewable energy (solar PV energy) in cases in which this would be dismissed because of:
- the temporary use of a space / building (where the installation of PV panels to produce electrical energy would be discarded for profitability and return on investment issues. With this practice it is easier to amortize the investment, sharing the investment among several future users-locations, so that the installation is not left out of operation when the building / space is out of use)
- the building/space user is not the owner. The user may be interested in the generation of PV energy for own consumption, but the installation can be discarded because the occupation of the building or space is planned for a short time. It would be an interesting solution if the user can move the system to a new settlement.
- the temporary use of a space / building (where the installation of PV panels to produce electrical energy would be discarded for profitability and return on investment issues. With this practice it is easier to amortize the investment, sharing the investment among several future users-locations, so that the installation is not left out of operation when the building / space is out of use)
- the building/space user is not the owner. The user may be interested in the generation of PV energy for own consumption, but the installation can be discarded because the occupation of the building or space is planned for a short time. It would be an interesting solution if the user can move the system to a new settlement.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
SunnerBOX
Spain
Comunitat Valenciana
Contact
Project Manager