Lihou appeals for the money to revive its solar power system
CHILDREN visiting Lihou may be able to get involved in scientific experiments looking at electricity, if the island can raise the money to replace a burnt-out computer that controls the solar panels and to repair the generator.
The Lihou Island Charitable Trust hopes to encourage people to make a donation to the island to repair and replace the broken solar panel system, which is usually the island’s main source of power.
The island’s warden, Steve Sarre, said the island was currently running expensive generators that burn diesel because of the broken system.
‘It would be fantastic to receive a donation to cover the money we need for this,’ he said.
‘Around 70% of all primary school students come here and it would be great to be able to set up an educational programme on how the island sustains itself, how it’s environmentally friendly and what renewable energy is. It’d be great to inspire future generations.’
He said the system had broken after many years of use, with the computer alone 15 years old, and it had simply burned out.
However, a donation of around £8,000-£10,000 would enable the trust to get up and running again to make the island more renewable and self-sustainable.
‘It’s frustrating because we only use it for the freezer and the lights, really,’ Mr Sarre added.
‘We’re having to run off expensive generators using diesel at the moment because we can’t use the solar panels.
‘The solar panels themselves work, it’s the computer and the generator that are not, plus a few of the batteries that don’t hold their charge.
‘G4S came to check them out, so we know exactly what needs to be done.
‘Now we want to get the ball rolling and hopefully see if a corporate sponsor can donate to us.’
The island is jointly managed by the States and the Lihou Charitable Trust.
. For more information and to make a donation, email info@lihouisland.com.
