Into the blue...

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This last week was the first time our solar production exceeded consumption, since week-ending April 2.

Pretty close to the equinoxes, at both ends.
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Coming together...

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Our solar panels went live this morning! Woohoo! For the day, we have so far used 1.2kWh from the grid and exported 9.5kWh back to it.

In the meantime, we have harvested broad beans, potatoes, broccolini, silverbeet and some sage from the vegetable garden and planted tomatoes (Galapagos, Borghese, Grosse Lisse & one I forget), a pot of basil and some sweet corn. And shook a big bowl of mulberries from the tree in the front garden.

Dinner tonight: silverbeet & ricotta ravioli with burnt butter and sage, followed by spicy lamb cutlets with garlicky broad beans.

And a bottle of home brewed dark ale for the cook while he shells the broad beans.

Life can be good.
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Solar systems

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We threw caution to the wind and put in a couple of solar systems. Above, is the solar collector for hot water. Now, it has been pretty cloudy since they went in (figures!) but the temperature water in the tank is in the 40s. (That's deg C. It's in the 70s for those of you who still use ancient units.)


Attached to the storage tank is a small gas heater that boosts the water temperature by the required amount as it enters the house.


Meanwhile, up on the roof are a dozen panels for electricity. They work (so I'm told) but cannot be connected until a 'bidirectional' meter is installed. AGL, if you are reading this, I am waiting, waiting...

Combine all that with a hybrid car (4.9 L/100km on a trip to the country and back last weekend.), a new 6 star fridge, four water tanks and a vegetable garden, we are doing pretty much as much as we can.
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