Solar Panels lifted to M Shed roof by Bristol’s historic electric cranes

As part of the Green Capital year, M Shed is benefiting from a new array of solar panels on its roof as well as an energy efficiency upgrade.

On 12 August, over 40 loads were safely and efficiently transferred from dockside to roof by Bristol’s historic electric cranes, located next to the museum. The cranes link back to the city’s 1950s trading heyday – bringing history alive for the day.

Organised by the council’s energy service, the 181 solar panels will generate enough electricity to power about 10% of M Shed’s requirements.

The panels are part of a wider package of energy efficiency improvements for M Shed and compliment other measures such as upgrading windows to allow for natural ventilation, as well as temperature, humidity and CO2 sensors, which are linked to a management system to allow greater control.

On average, these improvements will save the museum around £50,000 per year on energy bills.

George Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol, said: “The 1950’s harbourside cranes appear in many views of Bristol and have become an important part of our maritime and trading history. It is a particular pleasure to me to see them being used to haul the solar panels in place, bringing back memories of my involvement in the group that rescued them from being scrapped by the city in the 1970’s. They are the last survivors of eight cranes which were originally on the M Shed quayside. I would like to thank all of the volunteers from the M Shed who are helping to operate the crane and transport the panels to the roof.”

M Shed is one of the biggest solar installations completed so far by the energy service and is part of a four-year city-wide solar programme which will see solar panels installed on a range of community buildings, council offices, schools, libraries, sports centres and other council-owned buildings throughout Bristol.

Main image © Bob Edwardes