In 2007 the lab had provided a location and technical help for some large concentrating solar projects. The structure of the lab was originally an elevated stand for a large mirror. Seen here, it has been repurposed to mount an array of solar thermal and and photovoltaic collectors. In the background can be seen an even larger concentrating mirror support structure.
When my tenure began the platform had been enclosed and roofed over to provide basic storage facilities for the lab annex. The earlier panels can be seen mounted on the roof line. A graduate student was designing and installing a combined heat and power demonstration project. The interior was essentially a cold, dark,and often wet space. There was a long process of making the space habitable. Insulating the walls, installing lighting, painting, installing an electrical system, etc. Building or repurposing desks and other equipment. The roof was to be the location of the sun tracking performance test stand. A stairway and guard rails were installed and constructed.
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