BMW robots to be powered by 11,500 new solar panels

A new 3 megawatt (MW) solar installation made up of 11,500 panels was completed in the UK this week and the array will power over 1,000 BMW production robots at the companies MINI factory in Oxford.

The array has been installed by East Midlands-based EvoEnergy, and is one of the largest solar rooftop-farms in the UK covering 20,000 square metres.

Oxford recently established the Oxford Low Carbon Charter, which aims to cut the cities emission levels by 30 per cent, and the installation is expected to help the region meet these targets whilst cutting BMW’s carbon footprint significantly.

The array consists of 11,500 260 kilowatt (KW) solar panels and generates enough electricity to power 850 homes as well as production robots needed to make the new MINI hatchback.

The construction began in February and was completed ahead of schedule, after a range of solutions have been found to deal with issues brought about by the installation of such a large number of panels on one rooftop.

EvoEnergy managed to install the first 4,000 panels in just five weeks, according to company executives, using at least 12 installers every day.

The building also uses LED lights, water harvesting and other environmental features to lower the plant’s carbon footprint.

The project makes BMW the latest car manufacturer to install a large-scale solar array, following similar investments from the likes of Toyota and Seat.