How much have you got there, Rob?

Is it Grid Connect, or Stand Alone?

Tony, it's 4.5 kwh, 18 panels, grid connected. I can't afford the batteries for stand alone. The panels and invertor will take forty months to pay off.

Who would have thought 20 years ago that so many of us would have solar panels on our roof. Back then, you would have been considered odd to go down that track.

It seems the hippies were right, and way ahead of their time, eh!

I have been researching alternative power for quite a number of years. I went to a field day about 30 years ago and then wind sounded attractive but the cost of the tower to put the turbine on was beyond me. Next I looked into hydro it was promising but flood proofing was a problem. Until recently solar was too expensive to consider, that changed in the last couple of years, just hope it lives up to the sails pitch.

Hippie!

No, seriously, it makes good sense. You should notice a pleasant change in your future electricity bills. We had little choice but to get a stand alone system, because when we had the house built in 2007 the power poles hadntrcome this far down our road, though i could see the last of the poles from my veranda. Instead of paying over $28,000 to have the network extend to us, the decision was made to buy a full 'remote' system, and although it came close to the same cost (after rebates), we don't regret the choice. We run off our own power 6 days a week, and I only switch across to network power on Sundays. That's the day we do anything that requires high-drain appliances. The solar system is quite sufficient to allow full use of lighting, pump, refrigeration, computer/s, TV, grinder, etc... The washing machine doesn't like running off power from our batteries, because the sine wave of that is slightly different, and it's little computer brain doesn't appreciate it. Also, other high wattage appliances like vacuum cleaner and my workshop equipment would either run poorly or drain the power stored, very quickly. That's Ok though. I don't mind paying approximately 1/7 of what would be a 'normal' power bill. In fact, when the govt made the decision to remove the ambulance levy from all electricity bills, our power costs halved! While I was on long service leave in Jan/Feb this year, I did a few full days of using things like air compressor or MIG welder. That was one of the very few occasions when our quarterly electricity bill reached $100 or thereabouts. The batteries need to be monitored at least every couple of months, to be sure the elecrtolyte levels are topped up. More often in summer, naturally. All it takes is a bit of demineralised water and 5 minutes of your time. I should note that our hot water system is solar, with gas boosting, and all our heating is gas also, so those two areas which would normally would chew through electricity, dont make much of a dent in our supply. I do have a wind turbine too, but because of an error by the supplier, it is only used for recharging of 12v batteries. I had requested a 24 volt turbine, and received 12 volt instead. My battery bank is 24 volt, so 12 volt isn't much use there.

Although I don't regret the decision (had no choice, really), I wouldn't expect that we are anywhere near breaking even on the initial setup cost. It does amuse me when power outage occurs on the grid, and I stand on the front steps and see no other lights on in the entire area......except ours!

If anyone dared to suggest I would have alternative power supply, a decade of so ago, I would recommend they receive a psychiatric assessment, but here we are, reaping the benefits of alternative energy sources. Bless the tree-huggers! They were right......in this instance.

What is wrong with this picture? :bang:

No snow?????
 

..... and a nice butt end view of something CMP like!!!!

This next picture shows what is wrong.
We had a bit of a northerly breeze last night. :coffee

Go fly a kite.
 

You've not only got to hold them up, you've also got to hold them down.
A friend had the same thing happen at Guyra. The implements were huddled together on their own and the shed flattened out on the paddock some distance away with the concrete footings still on the ends of the posts.

David

Recovery.
 

I can see Keith doing a border raid to recover his cab 12.
That's not what you need at this time of year. Good luck!

The shed was going to be partially dissembled this winter to add new stronger posts, my plans may now need changing.
The good news is the blitz was untouched, the bad news the header is now outside and it has many moving parts made of wood and canvas.
It took a while to get close to the blitz as it was well guarded by angry paper wasps.

That's bad luck Robert. I guess the replacement will be longer, wide and higher.LOL Hope you were insured. See you next week.
Regards Rick.

Uh-oh!
 

Yes, a border raid looks to be in order! Maybe bring a few cans of insecticide.

Sorry to see this has happened Robert!

The shed will not be rebuilt, I picked up the keys for the retirement block today. We sell our farm in March 2018 then build on the new block. Pictures to follow when I go exploring on Friday.

Hope the sale and move goes well for you Robert. Looks like things are really going to happen for you and your family in 2018. :thup2:

I went exploring on the new block, managed to get bogged on the creek flat at the far end, unlike here I had mobile reception so no walking necessary. Here are a few pictures from the top, they certainly used poetic licence when they listed cattle yards in the list of improvements.
For some reason pictures won't load, will try to edit them into post tomorrow.
Have to try at the library, my computer will not upload photos.
Finally can post pictures again, kept getting a message that I could not post pictures on another persons post. :bang:

Merry Christmas Robert and Vicky and the boys. Exciting times ahead for you all. Jill and I wish you a really great 2017. R'n'J.

Thank you Rick and Jill, Merry Christmas to you too and best of luck with your back, hope the rest of 17 looks better for you.
Yes exciting times Vicki and I have a new toy and we are looking forward to the time we can share.

Finally the pictures are in post 106.

I picked up the revised house plan today and will receive a price estimate soon.
We have cleared the house site and started the levelling. :cheers:

The plan is slowly coming together.
A site has been levelled for a new shed making three sheds before the house is built.
I was lucky enough to be loaned a dozer making the earth work easier, the house sight is nearly finished. I get the excavator back this week to do the final trim. Playing with new toys has been great fun. :cheers:

The blitz moved to Batlow a while back, now our home while the new house is being built has moved in with it. :cheers:

New View
 

It looks like a beautiful location, Robert.
I must say I'm a bit jealous.
Cheers, H

When moving how do you decide what to take and what to leave? :bang: :coffee

When moving how do you decide what to take and what to leave?
 

2 choices take it all or none at all. Otherwise you will always be wondering where that part is.

Make the thread a bit CMP related :cheers:

The new block has been named, concreted in place this morning, stand still needs painting.

It's all happening post is painted and current property is on the market. :cheers:

Congratulations Robert and Vicky. 90 years is a fair stretch to have it in the family. All the best with the auction. R'n'J.

Well today was the day.
We are now self funded semi retirees. :cheers: