Solar as usual

We recently helped our friends expand their solar power system. They added 1,400 watts of PV to their array, which doubled their power input.

Their new panels are mounted to the roof using a prefabricated IronRidge aluminum mounting system.

The SunTech PV modules come with a 20 year output warranty and are well matched to the battery bank voltage, which means the OutBack Power MPPT charge controller can operate at peak efficiency.

Our friends are happy to now have more electricity than they need, even during times of heavy electrical usage.




The 1.8 kilowatt SunStation was recently delivered to its new owners on the Terlingua Ranch.  The couple is pleased with the performance so far, and are able to run their Airstream travel trailer, including a hefty, roof-mounted air conditioner. 

Surprisingly, the brand new, modern AC (13k BTU) consumes 1.9 kilowatts per hour.  That's about 600 watts more than the similarly sized window unit at my parents' home, which dates to about 1980.


We received a large delivery of concrete blocks for some upcoming homestead improvements. 380 8x8x16" blocks, 20 bags of mortar and 20 bags of Portland cement.

We are adding a back wall on the shop in blocks up to 7' high, the remainder is framed in steel and covered by steel panels.

The floor of the chicken coop was also excavated and poured with homemade concrete this past week.  Just a little bit of ferro-cement work on the remaining wall, and our last surviving chicken Foxy Lady (who is doing really well, by the way) will be moving back in.