Solar power will be used to charge the the BMW i3 medical cars and the i8 safety cars at the London race.

The news was revealed today in a press conference that also officially announced a partnership with solar provider Lightsource.

“The safety and medical cars are going to be charged with solar energy,” confirmed series boss Alejandro Agag. “Not only that, the large public screens will be operated with solar energy. There will be a recharging zone where mobile phones can be charged with solar energy. And the entrance ticket scanners will be recharged overnight with solar energy.”

Current E has learned that Lightsource has installed four lead acid 48kWh batteries, delivered to site already charged by the company’s solar farms. An on-site solar system will top up the batteries throughout the weekend. The solar system comprises 18 panels, each 1m wide and 1.5 long, with 60 cells. The south-facing panels are fixed with a 37.5 degree angle; the array is able to deliver 4.6kW peak power.

Discussing the goal to create a full carbon neutral race series and transport grid, Agag went on: “Electric cars are one element of the downstream solution. The way the energy is generated is as important as how the energy is used. The dream for us is that the whole grid will be charged with solar. Steps are really important. Formula E is a step in the right direction; it’s not yet the final solution. We think solar arrays are a very important step for Formula E.”