Solar Independence Day
Today is apparently ‘Solar Independence Day’, and the good weather means that just about now an amazing 15% of the UK’s power needs are being met with solar. Of course, around here 100% of our power needs are being met with solar all the time, and...
Energy freedom
So the end of a sunny spring day, and although it is only April, we are finding that our 4kw solar pv (which is the most common pv installation size in Northern Ireland) has supplied our needs all day, including a couple of loads of washing, running a regular fridge,...
Enjoying the many benefits of winter sun
On a day like today when the wind is bitingly cold, but the skies are clear, and we enjoy some winter sunshine, it is great to be able to celebrate the fact that for once, everything is working, and we are able to take a moment to marvel at the fact that we have all...
Energy – a learning curve
As we continue to grapple with our growing solar PV power station, we’re learning how to manage within our means, power wise (or not on occasion); and get it all running smoothly. Although we have batteries as a buffer, there are some things better done on a...
Lackan Cottage Farm does hi-tech too!
Here at Lackan Cottage Farm we like to experiment with technology, some of it very simple, such as our composting toilets and strawbale insulation, and some of it high-tech such as our solar pv arrays. We started off with just a couple of panels, and this has grown to...
The big switch on
No, not Christmas lights – at least not yet. Today we were able to switch on George – our 2kw solar pv array, and although the weather is far from ideal – heavy skies and no real sign of any sun, he is generating some useful amps. He joins...
Meet George
Meet George. As our collection of solar panel arrays grows, I decided to give them names. As the panels were given to us by St.George’s Church in Belfast, George seemed appropriate. Plus when he stops working I have a name to hang the insults on. George...
Power station progress
A bit of early evening winter sun means we get to catch a few last volts before it gets dark. There’s now 1.5kW of PV up on the roof, which suffers a bit from shading late in the day – just one of several issues to work around. We’re setting...
Should’ve built a bloody ark
Rarely in many years of working outside have I ended up as wet as I did today. It was raining when I woke at 6, and tonight its still going. Still, what better weather for working with electricity. Outdoors. Since we did the roof of the build, all the existing...
May the sun shine
Today we were most fortunate to be able to go and pick up a not inconsiderable quantity of used solar pv panels – 0ver 3kW worth, together with a load of mounting rails. Although the panels are a few years old, they’re good ones, and should barely...