BLOG: My First Solar Energy Projects
as Modern Apprentice - Cameron Clark

Since joining Scottish Water Horizons as a Modern Apprentice last year, I’ve gained valuable experience in renewable technologies. I’ve learned so much in a short amount of time, and this is my learning journey so far…

Battery Park Solar PV scheme – My First Project

My first project was a huge learning experience: installing a solar PV (photovoltaic) scheme at Battery Park Waste Water Pumping Station in Greenock. This gave me the opportunity to get involved in the day-to-day operations of setting up a large-scale system.

The project involved installing 568 solar panels, a task that was as challenging as it was rewarding. Working closely with Project Manager Murdo MacAulay, I gained hands-on experience in conducting site audits, health and safety checks, and risk assessments. These tasks are incredibly important, especially given the roof-mounted nature of this installation. With scaffolding access and poor weather adding further challenges, ensuring everyone’s safety was one of my main tasks.

The project began during winter – and if you know anything about Scotland in winter, you’ll understand how tricky this made things! When severe weather forced a site shutdown, I had to closely monitor nearby storm tanks to prevent overflows. This involved a lot of pre-work, including getting in touch with key stakeholders like SEPA, arranging contingency plans such as having a tanker on standby, and keeping the onsite operations team informed in the weeks leading up to the shutdown.

This project also taught me the importance of pre-start meetings. I worked with FES, our contractor, and the operations team to manage site logistics to prevent disruption to the site’s daily operations. I also implemented a health and safety management system for everyone on site including an induction for contractors and visitors.

The experience I gained from this project was invaluable, especially in health and safety and the importance of thorough pre-work planning. It gave me a real sense of purpose to document my observations, site conditions, challenges, and accomplishments.

Bonnybridge Solar PV Scheme – My Most Challenging Project

The Bonnybridge solar PV project, which involved installing over 1,100 panels near Falkirk, was another rewarding experience. From pre-start meetings to bi-weekly project reviews, I gained a detailed understanding of the site, its challenges, and its benefits.

Thanks to my previous involvement at Greenock, I was well-prepared to work with our contractor on pre-start needs such as cabin space, material storage, parking, and traffic management, to mitigate any potential risks.

Once again, working with Murdo MacAulay and the Health and Safety team, we ensured a well-organised site walkthrough, where safety measures were successfully put in place.

Similar to our Greenock site, one of the main challenges we faced was the weather. The harsh conditions made the site grounds very difficult for vehicles to access. However, by applying the right site management practices, we minimised the need for costly and time-consuming reinstatement work. Thankfully, we completed all panel work before the weather worsened, and from that point on, access was needed only by foot.

It was important to have regular discussions with the onsite operations team to agree contingency measures, as the site can go into storm conditions very quickly. These conversations are really important to safeguard the site and maintain network flow.

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I also worked closely with our contractor to preserve the field of grass we were working on – thankfully we were able to reseed it in early spring after the harsh winter.

A highlight of this project was helping with a site visit for Scottish Renewables. Showcasing our site and providing a behind-the-scenes look at our solar PV system was a great chance to demonstrate the benefits of our work.

This has been the largest project I’ve worked on, and while I found it the most challenging, it was also the most valuable for my learning.

Looking ahead

These projects have not only taught me new skills but also deepened my appreciation for the planning and coordination needed to deliver large-scale renewable energy projects. I’m excited to continue expanding my skills and apply my learnings to future projects at Scottish Water Horizons.

I also want to thank Murdo MacAulay and Ian Piggott, Senior Project Manager, for all their knowledge and guidance. Their patience and dedication to help me learn on the job, has made a significant difference in my understanding and confidence. I am truly grateful.