Sustainability Project Update: May Visit

The last of the site visits before our summer season starts took place earlier this month. The aim was to facilitate the installation of the solar array on the field and before Simon from SAEnergy arrived to install it, we had to insulate and fireboard the new battery room. This took one of the teams a couple of days.

Battery space in cabin

Panelling the toilets

The installation of the solar array was amazingly fast and smooth. The internal systems and batteries were complete by Tuesday, and the panels up by Wednesday. We still have to do a few bits to get the power to site but it's already absorbing the sun's power, and was immediately put to use to charge the tools we needed on site. We even had a visit from Kevin at Solar Shed who had put us in touch with Simon. The great news is with the new solar array built we can now draw a line under our Powering the Past fundraising campaign 😊. The contributions to this were spent on building the cabin and frame that the solar now sits on.

Solar panels being installed

Solar power complete

We had to work in small teams as the space was tight so the other team worked on the wall panelling for the toilet block which took us most of the week, but by the end we had sinks on the walls, toilets, and bins in place. We think it's unlikely they will be ready for the season, as to get all the contractors in for the final fit is proving tricky. At the moment we are waiting for a carpenter to do the doors which is more complex due to health and safety reasons. For the season we have backups booked, and at least it will give us more time to make them look the part, and give them a lick of paint and trim/cover the edges.

Adding fittings

Work in progress

Panelling complete

Bins installed under unit

Toilets installed

When Steve arrived, he spent his time working on improvements to the water routes, simplifying connections, and replacing pipes. This has been a larger job than we had expected but by doing this we can organise the site better and avoid leaks. During this time the team also did a variety of other minor jobs, installing CCTV, removing nettles, installing a new planter beside the information hut, clearing a space for the shower block and test pits, and the arduous job of testing out the new SHARP pizza oven

Clearing area for test pits

Steve sorts out the water

Once again thanks to all that came to help during the week, this includes Karen, Joe, Terry, Roger, Steve, Sam and Chris. We couldn't have got this far without all your hard work.

Written by Eleanor Blakelock