Let the sun shine on (our solar panels)

 

Solar panels were added to the roof of the shed and two batteries added inside the shed so that we could store that power. Now we want battery power to last from sun up to sun up; however, since winter is here and it has been cloudy, we haven't always made it that far. 

Both sides of the shed have the panels and we are glad we added the extra to give us a winter bump. 

We have been identifying the main power drains -the heater I have in our bathroom, for starters. It is a big room with a cold floor so I put the heater on a timer and had it heating morning and evening. 

Big energy suck. I still use it, but more on an "as needed" basis! It is probably not that bad but much worse than the lights and TV. The toaster and hot water heater are also high energy. I try not to look too often but the app is really cool:

You can see the energy coming in through solar (nada, it is dark out), and what we are using. This shows our battery is almost full (the yellow boxes on the bottom right) and we aren't using any energy from the grid. 

This image shows the usage over the past day - we actually filled the battery and exported some to the grid. 

Unfortunately, the energy company pushed back their visit until July so they get the extra for free right now. 

The app also shows how much CO2 emission and standard coal we have saved. So far, not enough to plant a tree, though. 

The latest update is the ability change the LED lights to reflect your world soccer team. Since the Socceroos match the Packers, we are now rocking a green and gold display.

Scott has been cleared for more activity so has been put to work digging post holes. 

We have a septic field that needs to be protected from heavy equipment and horses so we are putting a fence around it. Ditto for our new cement tank. Plus we took down some fence to put in the cement tank. Our plan is to let the sheep into the "transpiration" field  to act as lawn mowers. Since it is going to be a more restricted space, we also plan to use it for sheep work (hoof trimming etc). That meant we had to move the sheep yards over. We borrowed a trailer and used it to bring the new gates/posts home and to move the sheep yards.

This required taking the very large and heavy puzzle apart and putting it back together again in the other paddock. It actually worked.  At least we got it back together. It has not yet been fully tested by the sheep! Along those lines, we also have committed to buying a young ram to increase our flock size. 

We are also probably getting a horse - and a horse trailer. A story for another day.

I have made myself a set of stepping stones to get to the herb garden without putting on real shoes- I find myself making trips to the garden when making dinner. I know putting on shoes isn't that hard but still an extra challenge. This makes it easier to go barefoot!

Finally, this male fairy wren was putting on the charm - just when I had the camera out for a lunch break