Global Engineering: Peru 2024
The second project for our team was to install a solar panel for the same family we made the oven for. The first task for this project consisted of digging sand from the other site and mixing with a white powder called bentonite. This was then transported in wheel barrows back to our site and placed in the grounding wells. It was quite high intensity work, however our small sub group managed it well, with rotation of digging and transportation to stop us from feeling over worked. Whilst we were preparing the grounding wells, other members of the team had been digging out trenches for the wiring to be laid in. Once I was finished with grounding wells, I had the task of laying sand carefully underneath the piping in the trenches. This was to stop the pipes from snapping when the trenches would be filled in. By the end of the second day, the groundwork was completed, and we were ready to begin the next phase of the project. With the trenches dug and the grounding wells prepared, we were one step closer to bringing solar power to the family's home.
The next few days entangled wiring up the rooms and the outside of the house, which required measuring and cutting the piping to suit the length of the walls as needed. Once the piping was measured up, the correct wires were then thread through to meet the necessary connectors. The wiring up utilised tools that were new to me, presenting a valuable opportunity for learning some new skills. After finishing this task, we proceeded to backfill the trenches, meticulously scooping the surrounding sand and delicately placing it into the excavated areas. Ensuring the surface was level was imperative, considering it would be traversed by people regularly. This careful filling of the trenches needed us to pay close attention and be precise to make sure the surface was smooth and level. That way, we could avoid anyone tripping and keep everyone safe, for us working and the family that lived there.
The next blog post dives into the last day on the project, where I took on the role of team leader!