UHI North, West and Hebrides turns a generator failure into a solar-powered success

12th September 2026

Photograph of UHI North, West and Hebrides turns a generator failure into a solar-powered success

Researchers at UHI North, West and Hebrides have used portable solar power to run radar equipment during seabird fieldwork at Dunnet Head, Caithness - believed to be one of first times renewable energy has been used to power radar fieldwork at the university.

During summer fieldwork at Dunnet Head, a PhD researcher, Amy Jones, was using a marine radar to monitor seabird activity when an unexpected generator failure prompted the team to find an alternative way of powering the equipment.

The successful approach demonstrates how renewable energy can support power-intensive scientific research in remote locations, while reducing reliance on fuel-powered generators and the environmental impact of fieldwork.

Portable solar panels were deployed beside the fieldwork van and used to supply power to the radar computer, display screens and data-acquisition unit housed inside the vehicle, while supporting the radar base station and antenna nearby.

This allowed the research to continue while substantially reducing reliance on a fuel-powered generator.

The solution proved particularly well suited to this type of fieldwork. Radar surveys require relatively calm and dry conditions to protect the equipment and obtain high-quality data, and these conditions also tend to provide good opportunities for solar-energy generation. The panels could be positioned beside the van and adjusted to make the most of the available sunlight throughout each survey period.

Large radar systems used in similar fieldwork are typically powered by mains electricity, generators or vehicle batteries. While the use of renewable energy to power radar has become increasingly common in recent years, this may be one of the first times renewable energy has been used to power radar fieldwork at the university.

By adapting their setup, the team were able to reduce fuel use, generator emissions and noise at the field site while continuing to collect important data on seabird activity.

Amy Jones, PhD Researcher, Environmental Institute, UHI North, West and Hebrides, said:
“What began as a practical response to equipment failure became a valuable demonstration of how renewable energy can support our research in remote locations. We were able to continue collecting important and energy-intensive radar data while reducing our reliance on a fuel-powered generator, which is a really positive outcome from an unexpected situation. It also aligns with our longer-term goal of making research more sustainable.”

To find out more about research at UHI North, West and Hebrides, please visit:
Research - UHI North, West and Hebrides
https://www.nwh.uhi.ac.uk/en/research/

Special thanks to Louis Goldman for use of his support vehicle and portable solar panels, and to The Snowdon Trust for funding this invaluable field support.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

10/9/2026 : Educational Institutions

 
Scotland’s Colleges Face a Financial Crunch as Student Numbers Fall and Reform Stalls

Scotland’s college sector is facing a financial problem that cannot be solved simply by asking colleges to cut their cloth a little tighter.   That is the uncomfortable message from a new Audit Scotland report which shows colleges cutting staff, reducing courses and relying increasingly on short-term financial support while the number of students being taught continues to fall.  

30/5/2026 : Educational Institutions

The University of the Highlands and Islands: Financial Pressure, Regional Delivery, and the Thurso Question

The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is structurally different from most UK universities.  It is not a single compact campus institution but a regional “distributed university” model, made up of a partnership of colleges and specialist centres spread across the Highlands and Islands.  

24/3/2026 : Educational Institutions

Supporting parents and carers to work

Thousands of families to gain new opportunities to learn, earn and thrive.   As a result of £21 million of new, targeted investment in colleges and skills, families at risk of poverty will receive additional support to train, to help them enter stable, well-paid work or progress in their career.  

16/2/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
Funding boosts STEM opportunities for young people in Caithness and Sutherland

Primary school pupils in Caithness and Sutherland will have the chance to dive into engaging science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) activities, thanks to a new funding agreement from NRS Dounreay.   The three-year commitment will enable the Science Skills Academy (SSA) to deliver practical STEM learning at the Newton Room in Thurso, helping young people aged 10-14 explore how STEM connects to real-world applications.  

4/2/2026 : Educational Institutions

Student Numbers Falling in Scotland's Colleges - Trends and Causes

The latest College Statistics 2024-25 report from the Scottish Funding Council shows a clear decline in the number of students participating in further and higher education at colleges across Scotland.   Between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years, the total number of college students decreased from 218,145 to 209,285 This is a fall of more than four per cent in just one year and part of a broader downward trend amounting to roughly 16 per cent fewer students over the last two years.  

4/12/2025 : Local Authority

Have your say in Thurso's future £100million investment by attending public consultation events

Thurso is to benefit from £100m investment in education and community facilities and are rolling out the first phase of public consultations on 9 and 10 December 2025.   The Highland Council is inviting people that live, work, or study in Thurso, to come along to the public consultation events to have their say; this is an opportunity to help shape the future of Thurso, to gather views and ideas.  

28/11/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
Workforce North event spotlights Highland economy

EMPLOYERS and educators from across the Highlands have gathered to hear how a new initiative is aiming to transform the region's economy.   Workforce North - A Call to Action brought together business leaders and teachers from primary and secondary schools from across the Highland Council area with a wide range of partners geared towards education, learning and skills development at Strathpeffer Pavillion.  

25/11/2025 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
Tartan challenge for UHI students offers £1,500 prize

Students from across the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) partnership have been challenged to design a tartan and be in with a chance of winning a £1,500 cash prize.   Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has launched THE COMPETITION to mark 60 years since the regional development agency (then named Highlands and Islands Development Board) was established in November 1965.  

30/10/2025 : Educational Institutions

University (UHI) Staff Strike in Dispute Over Job Cuts Today - 10 Redundancy Notices already Handed Out

Staff at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) have commenced a series of strike actions beginning 30 October 2025, in protest at proposed job cuts and the use of compulsory redundancies.   The walk-out is set for four days this month today 30 October and further dates on 5, 17 and 18 November.  

2/10/2025 : Educational Institutions

 
Scotland's Colleges Feeling Impact Of Funding Cuts

Scotland's colleges face changing how they operate due to ongoing financial pressures.   The sector has experienced a 20 per cent real terms cut in funding over the last five years.