Cambridge Museum of Technology installs solar-photovoltaic arrays to power its exhibits from the electric age
Image credit: Aaron Greenwood for Cambridge Museum of Technology, 2022.
Creative Commons Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs
In May 2022, Cambridge Museum of Technology arranged installation of three solar-photovoltaic arrays, comprising 19 panels in total. The panels feed power into the Museum’s electrical supply (and back into the national grid on days when the museum is not open!).
Peak power is about 7kW (a kettle is about 3kW).
According to the Met Office, Cambridge receives over 1500 hours of sunlight per year. In summer, the panels typically generate up to 30kWh each day.
“These solar-photovoltaic arrays will enable Cambridge Museum of Technology to power the Pye Building, which appropriately displays exhibits from the electric age by Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company and Pye.”
The system was funded by the Cambridge Green Grant Scheme, was supplied by Midsummer Energy and installed by Terry Mann Electrical.
Solar adds to the museum’s portfolio of power-generation in Cambridge
The vicinity of Cambridge Museum of Technology has a long association with the evolution of power-generation in the city. Museum volunteers have:
restored the steam engines of the Cheddars Lane sewage-pumping station, originally powered by incinerating Cambridge’s refuse (and later by coke furnaces)
salvaged exhibits from the Cambridge University & Town Gas-Light Company, which operated gas works on the adjacent River Lane from 1820s to 1960s, prior to demolition in the 21st century
explored the history of wind power in suburban Cambridge, such as a windmill in the nearby Hurst Park estate
documented the infrastructure of renewables, including Wadlow Wind Farm and Great Wilbraham Solar Park.
Solar-photovoltaic electricity-generation has now been added – in time for the summer! – to the portfolio of power-generation that can be experienced from a visit to the museum!
The installation of solar panels is one initiative of the Museum’s ongoing partnership with Cambridge Carbon Footprint.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to grants from Cambridge Green Business Grant scheme, which helps local businesses to reduce their environmental impact.
Photovoltaic panels supplied by local business Midsummer Energy
Local contractor Terry Mann Electrical Services installed the panels, facilitated by museum volunteers.
Aaron Greenwood for donating drone-videos and -photos of the Pye Building.
Cambridge climate data: www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages
Updates
Article updated August 2022 with additional information about suppliers and performance of solar photovoltaic panels (source: Cambridge Museum of Technology).