Solar panel walkways are structures covered in solar panels that link one building to another protecting people from the elements while generating electricity.
Walkways are commonly installed between offices, schools and hospitals to help connect two buildings and can be designed with built-in solar panels or rail-mounted panels or easily retrofitted with solar panels.
They can sometimes be confused with solar walkways which is a new technology where solar panels are installed on the ground and are designed to be walked on.
Why install a solar panel walkway?
The cost of a unit of energy has doubled compared to 2020 prices, according to End Fuel Poverty Coalition - leading to businesses being squeezed, spending money on energy instead of reinvestment.
Likewise, public sector organisations like schools and hospitals are spending a larger percentage of their budgets on energy bills which could be spent on students and patients.
Solar panel walkways help to slash energy bills and re-direct cash where it is most needed; and they are much cheaper than building an extension and far less disruptive.
You can sell any excess energy to the National Grid or store it for later use by installing a battery.
Solar panel walkways also allow you to use solar energy if you don’t have available or suitable space on roofs, and demonstrate your commitment to Net Zero and ESG goals.
Where are solar panel walkways installed?
Spaceshade solar panel walkways are tailor made to suit your needs and can be installed at business premises, sports and leisure facilities, healthcare sites and schools, universities and colleges.
Their modular design is particularly ideal for tricky and hard to reach spaces like courtyards and narrow passageways because we don’t use heavy equipment to install them.
Not only are they practical in helping visitors, patients and students navigate buildings and keep them dry, but they look sleek and stylish and give a great first impression.
Another bonus of solar panel walkways to educational organisations is they provide invaluable learning experiences about solar energy and other renewable technology using real-time data.
Installing a solar panel walkway
As well as solar panels, Spaceshade provide options for different colours to match the architectural design of the building.
You can also customise your walkway by adding side glass, polycarbonate or solid walls on one or both sides for extra protection from the weather or to create a barrier between different areas of your site.
Many people choose to add lighting too to keep students, staff, visitors and patients safe during the darker winter days.
The powder-coated aluminium walkways are extremely durable and corrosion free, are easy to maintain with low-maintenance features like concealed gutters and downpipes and have a 25-year life expectancy.
Talk to the experts
Kensington Systems has installed many Spaceshade walkways to schools and businesses, sports and leisure organisations over the years, providing solutions to challenges around hard to reach spaces.
We provide full project management from initial assessment where we determine the best location to minimise disruption while complying with any planning regulations, right through to groundworks, installation, surfacing and any electrical work required, giving you peace of mind.
Our experts are always very happy to talk to you about the benefits and costs of installing a solar panel walkway.
