A NEW solar electrical enterprise is literally setting showpiece events alight.
Oakwood Energy Systems, which has been established as part of Simon Bache’s Oakwood Electrical, is an accredited company that can install photovoltaic and micro wind systems — including a revolutionary new solar generator.
Mr Bache devised the generator after a Ryde-based events company, looking for a portable green energy solution to power appliances in its marquees, contacted him.
"Undaunted by the belief that no such a system existed, using my knowledge and contacts within the industry, I was able to design and build a unique system to meet my client’s requirements, proving that virtually no project is impossible.
"Most recently, it has been showcased at the BMW Open Golf Championships at Wentworth and will be seen at forthcoming golfing championships in Munich, Loch Lomond, St Andrew’s and Singapore.
"The design brief required 1kw of energy to be produced continuously for ten hours per day; similar to boiling an electric kettle continuously for five hours rather than the usual three minutes.
"What made the design and build more challenging was the fact that it had to be completed within a two-month time frame to be ready for installation at Wentworth," said Mr Bache.
Due to the restrictions on available space, solar panels could only be mounted on the roof of the marquee, ruling out the use of conventional heavy rigid glass units, so flexible marine panels were used instead.
When not in use, large capacity batteries store energy that otherwise would be lost, further enhancing the efficiency of the unit.
"While the scale of the power output required for this project was considerable, the principles could be scaled down to provide energy for summer houses, stable blocks or other remote uses.
"In years to come it could be feasible that a tent or marquee could have technology sewn-in, bringing an alternative to mains hook-up for campers," he said.
Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk