Aviva’s new ‘solar car park’ in Scotland could save 400 carbon tonnes a year

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Just when you think you’ve heard of everything with regards to solar innovation, news of a car park where every space is roofed by a solar panel comes and opens your eyes to new possibilities!

This is the project recently announced by Aviva, and supported by the Scottish Government, is one of the UK’s biggest solar carport and energy storage facilities. This project covers 342 car park spaces alongside around 50 electric vehicle charging stations.

The project is estimated to lead to an annual saving of nearly 400 tonnes of carbon emission, equivalent to powering 500 homes for a full year. It means Aviva’s office can go “off grid” for around  five hours per day at peak national grid times, with surplus energy stored in solar batteries for later use.

Aviva employs 2,000 people in Scotland, with around half of those at their Perth office, home to its property claims centre for commercial and personal property. 

Nick Amin, who is Aviva’s chief operating officer, shared: “It’s vital that businesses in all industries put words into action when it comes to tackling the climate emergency. That’s why we are taking strides to reduce our environmental impact and partner with leading technology specialists to help make that happen. The Perth solar and storage initiative is a great example of how Aviva is innovating to secure a sustainable energy supply and support the electric vehicle revolution.”

Aviva’s distribution director, David Skinn, said: “Scotland is a country that has long been known as a pioneer in the energy sector, and so it is fitting that Aviva has built one of the UK’s leading solar and storage facilities in the heart of Scotland. With the build up to COP26 gaining momentum, people in Scotland, and across the UK, expect more to be done in the fight against climate change, so we’re delighted to be playing our part alongside the Scottish Government to save and create energy.”

Roseanna Cunningham, who is Scottish secretary for the environment and climate change, added: “I welcome the launch of Aviva’s solar carport and energy storage facility in Perth. This ambitious project, which received £1.5 million support through the Scottish Government’s low carbon infrastructure transition programme, will significantly reduce the environmental impact and carbon emissions from Aviva’s Scottish headquarters.”

All we can add is kudos to Aviva and we hope to see many more companies follow suit.

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