Find out more about our exciting project to install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof of the museum, which will enable the equivalent of half of our annual electricity use from a renewable, zero-carbon energy source.
Q: Why is there scaffolding up at Milestones? What work is being done at the museum?
A: The scaffolding has been put up for a very exciting new project: solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to enable us to generate our own electricity are being installed on the roof. There will be 433 panels in total over an area of 891m2. We estimate that the panels will generate 181,687kWh of energy every year. We are also installing meters so that we will be able to report the amount of energy generated by the building in real-time. This will be displayed for our visitors, staff and volunteers to see.
Q: How much of Milestones’ electricity will be generated by the panels?
A: The panels will generate the equivalent of half the museum’s electricity use over the course of a year. On any given day, the electricity generated by the panels will be used in the museum and any excess power generated will be exported into the main electricity grid. Solar panels are a renewable form of electricity generation and are classified by the government as a zero-carbon source of energy. The panels being installed on the museum will enable us to reduce the carbon emissions associated with our electricity by half. Integrating renewable energy generation at Milestones, alongside purchasing renewable energy and our ongoing efforts to reduce energy use, will enable us to achieve our goal of being carbon neutral by 2030.
Q: How long will the work take?
A: The work is starting on 24 November and is expected to be finished by 20 December 2021.
Q: How will the work affect my visit?
A: Your visit to Milestones will not be affected by the installation of the panels, you will still be able to experience everything that Milestones has to offer. You may notice some noise coming from the roof when you are inside the museum and there is likely to be increased activity to the side of the museum, with fencing and equipment visible from the car park.
Q: Will there be any change to your opening hours because of the work?
A: No – our opening hours will remain the same, 10:00am - 16:45pm, Tuesday to Sunday.
Q: If I see an issue of concern related to the work, who should I talk to?
A: If you see anything that you think we need to be aware of, please ask a member of our team to call the duty manager, or email milestones.museum@hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk.
Q: Who is installing the solar panels?
A: This work is being coordinated by Hampshire County Council as part of a project to install energy efficiency measures in hundreds of public buildings, including schools and libraries.
The Milestones’ project is being managed by a company called Solar Voltaics Ltd, overseen by Hampshire County Council.
Q: How much is it costing to install the panels?
A: The cost of installation is £158,000 excluding VAT
Q: Where is the money for these works coming from?
A: Hampshire County Council has secured funding for this project from the government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which offers 100% funded grants for public sector organisations to fund energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation projects in their properties. This is part of the County Council’s plans to become carbon neutral by 2050 and resilient to the impacts of a 2oC temperature rise.
Q: What else are you doing to improve environmental sustainability?
A: Hampshire Cultural Trust, which operates Milestones Museum, has an environmental sustainability policy to address all our environmental impacts from carbon to energy, waste, transport and procurement. In response to the climate and ecological emergency, we have an ambition to be net zero by 2030 across our 23 museums, galleries and arts centres. To achieve this, we are measuring our key impacts on an annual basis and have an action plan in place to reduce those impacts. We are also linking our commitment to environmental sustainability across our programming and work in communities.
