Greening up

It is not only the hedgerows that are greening up as spring approaches, we are too, as we look to achieve something we have always wanted to do - have solar panels installed and generate our own electricity. Despite the lack of incentives now available even for business installations we are still very keen to get a small 4.48kW system in place that can cover our energy use.

Our plan was to have the installation ground mounted, just to the east of the potting shed. This is an area that the hens currently have access to, so the first task was to fence off the site to prevent the hens from using the panels as perches!

Once we had made the site hen free Melv set to making the wooden frame to hold the panels.

Although a substantial structure it soon started to take shape, he concreted in the main upright supports, to which then he could attach the main runners which would hold the aluminium frame that holds the panels.

A compass was employed to ensure that the frame was positioned and angled to maximise the sun's rays.

 With the main supports installed, the next job whilst access was still easy was to stone out the site, to keep it tidy and weed free.

 And as you would expect there was plenty of help on hand, to transport to the stone to the site as the hens were keen to get 'hands' on with the muck truck!!

Trench dug, cable installed, stone down and the frame completed we were ready for the installation - even the sun was out ready!!!

The rest was up to Mole Energy and before too long the panels were going on - so exciting - we could really start how smart our small array was going to look.

Three pairs of hands and the finishing touches we being made by lunch time.

Now it is over to the sun to do the rest - highest generation so far has been 3.8kW, not bad for April - we now have another reason to look forward to the summer. 

We also have another little project that this electricity generation will facilitate - but that is news for a future blog...