smallsolarAug 30, 2023
This article from #lowtechmagazine about Direct Solar Energy captures my approach to small #solar projects. While I have a traditional panel/controller/battery setup I am very interested in ‘No-Battery’ systems such as my #solarpanel + super capacitor #waterpump. Article shows the hidden costs of going off grid, how in the future we need to change our behaviour to achieve the efficiencies we desperately need
https://solar.lowtechmagazine.com/2023/08/direct-solar-power-off-grid-without-batteries/
Direct Solar Power: Off-Grid Without Batteries

Using solar panels without backup infrastructure makes renewable energy production much more affordable, efficient and sustainable.

LOW←TECH MAGAZINE
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My #WaterPump is now working really well since i introduced a new #microcontroller (#attiny) to manage when to pump though will see how it performs in winter. It only turns on when there is sun but that’s okay as I’m in no hurry to move the water, just need it slowly shifted up to the top rain barrel.
Next year I also plan to build a solar powered #irrigation system for my raised #vegetable beds again using #directSolarEnergy and the water that I’ve pumped up from the lower rain barrels.
Aug 30, 2023 at 6:02amWeb
Show threadsmallsolarAug 30, 2023
I’d be very interested in experimenting with #directsolarenergy appliances such as refrigerators with large thermal masses and looking around there are some good projects trying these out