Funding has been secured to deliver a solar charging project in Cornwall.

Beryl and Cornwall Council have joined forces to upgrade existing rural bike share schemes by introducing solar-powered e-mobility charging hubs.

Notable as a first of its kind in the UK, the project is expected to cut the operational costs of bike share schemes.

The venture will notably implement six of these solar hubs across Cornwall.

Crucially, the hubs will be strategically located following consultation.

Once completed, the hubs will rely on rubberised solar panels to provide power for e-bike battery recharging.

As per plans, the first hub will get installed in the forthcoming weeks.

The full project is set to completed by March 2025.

Studies conducted on solar energy in the UK have shown several areas generating sufficient solar energy to power such charging hubs.

In fact, some feature active Beryl e-share systems, meaning potential trial expansions could happen in the future.

This current initiative forms part of the Transport Decarbonisation Demonstrators programme, which receives funding from the Department for Transport (DfT) and is delivered by Innovate UK.

Beryl’s head of policy, Patrick Donnelly, spoke about the project's potential impact.

He said: "We’re really excited to deliver what could be a groundbreaking project for the industry, offering a blueprint for the delivery of successful e-share schemes in less densely populated rural areas."

Mr Donnelly also explained the relief the project would bring to the current system.

He said: "The e-hubs could remove up to sixty swap jobs per day, freeing up more resources to carry out repairs and increasing the number of e-bikes available on the street by up to 15 per cent."

Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for transport, Connor Donnithorne, added: "This funding will not only increase the availability of e-bikes in areas such as Falmouth, Penryn and Newquay where we know they are in high demand, but also support our work to reduce Cornwall’s carbon emissions."

The first e-bike share scheme in Cornwall was launched by Beryl and Cornwall Council back in September 2022.

Since then it has expanded, boasting 302 e-bikes across 110 bays.