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In an effort to promote sustainability, Falco UK has teamed up with Solarcycle UK to introduce 100% renewable solar energy e-bike charging stations within cycle shelters.
The inaugural installation of this innovative system has been completed at NHS Wales Ystradgynlais Community Hospital, aligning with the hospital’s Active Travel and Green Plans.
Falco UK is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and installers of secure cycle hubs, cycle shelters, bin stores, and street furniture.
Solarcycle stands out with its award-winning world-first, off-grid, ‘solar-in-a-box’ e-bike chargers, offering green, renewable energy for e-bike charging.
The collaboration between Falco UK and Solarcycle is hoped to address the growing demand for accessible e-bike charging, providing businesses and organisations with an innovative, safe, and environmentally sustainable solution.
NHS Powys Teaching Health Board chose the FalcoLok shelter with Solarcycle’s e-bike charging system at Ystradgynlais Community Hospital for its immediate environmental benefits and minimal disruption.
“As we deliver our Health Board’s strategy for a Healthy Caring Powys, it is important as ever to measure, analyse and minimise the impact of our business on the biodiversity and sustainability within our operating areas,” explains Lloyd Morgan, capital programme manager at the Powys Teaching Health Board.
“The recent installation of the Falco Solarcycle solar powered e-bike charging points fits perfectly in with our values and commitments surrounding clean energy and also ensures that we remain at the forefront of new, green innovations.
“To be able to install these charging facilities without the need for any enabling works or mains electrical connections was also a real bonus for us from an operational standpoint and it’s been great to see our cyclists charging their bikes using 100% clean energy.”
With its solar-powered and off-grid operation, the system requires no mains connection or trenchworks and generates no ongoing energy costs, providing free e-bike charging for all staff.
As the manufacturer, Falco UK was able to work with Solarcycle to integrate the PV array on the roof of the FalcoLok, then to connect the Solarcycle charging pillar into the cycle parking area.
Solarcycle’s Reporting Function tracks the kWh of free, 100% renewable solar energy dispensed, enabling organisations to estimate how many carbonless miles have been generated by the organisation.
Paul Stratford, founder and CEO of Solarcycle, adds: “Solarcycle designed e-bike chargers with versatility and affordability in mind. A product that transforms existing cycle shelters into e-cycle shelters and encourages more employees to enjoy active travel.
“With Falco’s sustainable product line and credentials, it made sense to join forces and help organisations reach NetZero. The result is a scalable product-line packed with reporting features for all organisations and budgets.
“As cyclists we’re excited to see Falco’s cycle shelters in more train stations, hospitals and workplaces. The data generated from these will help evidence the positive impact of e-bikes.”
The annual CO2 savings from carbon-free commuting with e-bike travel and Solarcycle charging are substantial.
An organisation with 25 employees and a 15% e-bike adoption rate can save around 3.25million grams of CO2 annually.
The saving increases to 16.26 million grams of CO2 for an organisation with 100 employees and reaches more than 730 million grams of CO2 for an organisation with 4,500 employees.
Rob Harper, managing director of Falco UK, comments: “At Falco, sustainability is at the core of everything we do. Our partnership with Solarcycle underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship, aligning seamlessly with Falco UK’s mission and strategic objectives.
“We do a lot of work in areas where grid constraints can pose challenges, and we are developing cycle hubs to support sustainable travel and tourism, so the off-grid nature of Solarcycle’s system stood out as a pivotal factor in our decision.
“Together with Solarcycle, we’re not just building cycle hubs, we’re shaping the future of sustainable transportation infrastructure.”
