Phone charging canopies arrive in Plymouth

Solar structures could power four homes

Four giant solar canopies have started to be installed in Armada Way and are destined to be a new landmark for the city.

The four-metre high structures, costing £200,000, will harness power from the sun all year round to fuel the water pumps and lights as part of the £30 million regeneration scheme.

Seating and charging points will be included in the design so it can become a regular meet up area.

City centre champion Cllr Mark Lowry (Lab, Southway) said: “We are trying to create landmarks and we hope people will think of the sun canopies like they do the sundial and arrange to meet friends and family under them.

“I am really pleased with the design and it looks incredibly exciting. I think the architect has done a fabulous job.”

The canopies cover a total area of 150 square metres and will produce enough energy to power four domestic homes.

As well as being instrumental in Plymouth City Council’s aim to be a green city, the steel and transparent solar structures will provide welcome shelter from the rain.

LED lighting around the edges will illuminate the landmark at night.

An ongoing maintenance budget has been set aside to keep the new Armada Way attractions, which include a huge children’s play area, around 180 trees, green spaces, wildlife havens,  water features and an amphitheatre, looking pristine into the future.

The scheme is set to be complete by mid summer.

Several different designers have been involved in Armada Way which also boasts one of the largest sustainable urban drainage systems in a city centre aimed at storing and recycling rainwater and preventing the antiquated combined sewer system overflowing into Plymouth Sound.  The construction work is being carried out by Morgan Sindall.