Solar Cloth Company And Base Structures (BASE) Announce Merger
Solar Cloth Company Ltd (SCC) and Base Structures (BASE) have announced that they have merged. The joining of the two companies will make it possible for lightweight fabric structures and carports to generate clean solar energy which has not been possible until now.
SCC are experts at applying light-weight copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar technology to non-load bearing roofs. BASE design, manufacture and install iconic fabric structures including "˜Up at the O2' Walkway on the Millennium Dome, London 2012 Basketball Arena, and Ben Ainslie's Racing Headquarters at Portsmouth.
In combining their expertise, the two companies' will integrate renewable energy generation into elegant fabric structures at a competitive price point and without compromising on design or aesthetics "“ a first for the industry.
The initial focus of the two companies will be on a range of solar carports, a nascent market that is failing to coalesce due to a high price point and poor design. The planned solar carports will charge electric vehicles, power lighting, CCTV and parking management as well as generating energy for power hungry sites.
Mike Staplehurst, Chief Exec said:
"There is huge potential for public and private business with large car parks, such as retail, hospitals, universities, airport parking, business parks and local government authorities to reduce their energy bills through solar generation and meet their carbon footprint goals. At present, the price is too high and the structures too utilitarian and inflexible. Our merger with Base Structures means we can build light weight, adaptable and beautiful structures with a realistic business case "“ making solar generation possible where it wasn't before. In addition, it will help companies begin to address the infrastructure deficit for the growth in electric vehicles"
The market in electric vehicles is growing rapidly, rising from 3,500 registered in 2013 to 48,000 in 2015 and a predicted 1 million on the roads by 2022 (Future Energy Scenarios, July 2015). This will add 2TWh/year to the UK's electricity demand. Charging from a fossil-fueled grid, negates many of the sustainability benefits of electric vehicles, so providing a renewable infrastructure for this growing market is a priority. The combination of CIGS and fabric canopy expertise, enables the merged organization to develop innovate carport solutions that benefit the market and can be designed to fit the aesthetic of any environment.
The merger brings together in depth knowledge of fabrics, bonding, solar technology and structural skills. Together, the companies have over 18 years of the experience enabling it to exploit opportunities for solar generation where traditional solar is constrained.
Chris Ives, Managing Director of Base said:
"Our customers know us for the value we add, our experience is unrivalled in all aspects of the project cycle, from concept to maintenance to end of life. At the foundation of who we are and how we operate is the Base mission statement - a set of principles that describes our culture of integrity, respect, performance excellence and accountability. Through joining with The Solar Cloth Company and their extensive understanding of light-weight solar generation we will be able to offer our customers something not yet on the market "“ cheap, green energy that doesn't compromise on aesthetics and doesn't cost the earth. That's a really exciting prospect."
