Daydream thread... without the rose-tinted specs

Davesnave

Itismehonest wrote: »

Which direction(s) does the barn roof face, Dave, & the house? Depending on this, it may even be that the barn would be better for panels. They use barns around here.

The barn and the house are both aligned east/west, so perfect for solar. BUT they are around 150' apart and on different leccie meters/systems. If I knew we'd have enough £££ left, I'd put an export only system on the barn tomorrow!

We have a brilliant field edge too, invisible to anyone close except the neighbouring bungalow, (permanent rental) where I would consider a ground mounted array. There is an 11kv line running right through there, but unfortunately I don't think it's 3 phase, which is what's wanted for a small commercial set up.

I'm going up to the nearest footpath soon to see what the visual impact of panels in the field might be from there. I don't like them in fields, but obviously there are better and worse places to put them. The footpath is about 1km away, and they might be seen from there, but I'm not sure. It's all speculation at this point.

Good point about gravity fed oil system, which is where we are with the present Aga.

Itismehonest

Davesnave wrote: »

The barn and the house are both aligned east/west, so perfect for solar. BUT they are around 150' apart and on different leccie meters/systems. If I knew we'd have enough £££ left, I'd put an export only system on the barn tomorrow!

We have a brilliant field edge too, invisible to anyone close except the neighbouring bungalow, (permanent rental) where I would consider a ground mounted array. There is an 11kv line running right through there, but unfortunately I don't think it's 3 phase, which is what's wanted for a small commercial set up.

I'm going up to the nearest footpath soon to see what the visual impact of panels in the field might be from there. I don't like them in fields, but obviously there are better and worse places to put them. The footpath is about 1km away, and they might be seen from there, but I'm not sure. It's all speculation at this point.

Good point about gravity fed oil system, which is where we are with the present Aga.

It was a really stupid direction that Aga/Rayburn took when the ranges became 'trendy' for more urban dwellers Of course, they don't tend to be without power for days/weeks like the countryside can.

I've also PMd you.

lostinrates

If I had gravity fed oil, knowing what I now know, I'd certainly be keeping it as back up system at the very least.

lostinrates

Davesnave wrote: »

Well, although the technology isn't with us yet, you have an idea there. The big barn roof just hangs about, doing its rain-keeping-off thing and not much else, but it must absorb oodles of energy in the course of a year.....which just drifts off again, totally wasted. We just need some (cheap) way to grab it.

Rhiwfield was alluding to the same thing really when talking about solar air heating, meaning some kind of mass which is heated during the day, which then wafts this heat into the house at night.

So not a idea at all.

Like a mini water mill at the edge of gutters before down pipes?

Davesnave

lostinrates wrote: »

Like a mini water mill at the edge of gutters before down pipes?

I love that image! Not sure about the practicality, considering the amount of poplar leaves I dragged out of there two weeks ago! :rotfl:

Our stream is annoyingly far from the house. Although it's dry in summer, in winter it could be a source of small scale power or somewhere a heat pump could collect from. I believe they specialise in stream/spring systems in Wales.

But I meant that maybe we'll develop some kind of coating that could be applied to building and roofing materials that would collect solar energy, perhaps in a lower grade way than panels, but because of the sheer size, still harness enough to be worthwhile.

EDIT: Thanks for the info Itsme. I will have a good look later. Of course some of us poor souls in Devon have somehow missed out of being in either a National Park or an AONB. We are just plain and ordinary!

Itismehonest

Davesnave wrote: »

I love that image! Not sure about the practicality, considering the amount of poplar leaves I dragged out of there two weeks ago! :rotfl:

Our stream is annoyingly far from the house. Although it's dry in summer, in winter it could be a source of small scale power or somewhere a heat pump could collect from. I believe they specialise in stream/spring systems in Wales.

But I meant that maybe we'll develop some kind of coating that could be applied to building and roofing materials that would collect solar energy, perhaps in a lower grade way than panels, but because of the sheer size, still harness enough to be worthwhile.

EDIT: Thanks for the info Itsme. I will have a good look later. Of course some of us poor souls in Devon have somehow missed out of being in either a National Park or an AONB. We are just plain and ordinary!

I did say that particular array had more issues than you should have but, even off the Parks & SSSI/AONB etc., people are getting more NIMBYish about such things. 'Plain & ordinary' doesn't mean without problems as far as planning is concerned.

lostinrates

Davesnave wrote: »

I love that image! Not sure about the practicality, considering the amount of poplar leaves I dragged out of there two weeks ago! :rotfl:

Our stream is annoyingly far from the house. Although it's dry in summer, in winter it could be a source of small scale power or somewhere a heat pump could collect from. I believe they specialise in stream/spring systems in Wales.

But I meant that maybe we'll develop some kind of coating that could be applied to building and roofing materials that would collect solar energy, perhaps in a lower grade way than panels, but because of the sheer size, still harness enough to be worthwhile.

EDIT: Thanks for the info Itsme. I will have a good look later. Of course some of us poor souls in Devon have somehow missed out of being in either a National Park or an AONB. We are just plain and ordinary!

I think viva posted a link about some sort of paint like that some time last year, earlier this year? Cannot trust my memory but worth a google or asking the Nice People with better memories.

lostinrates

Autumns like this I feel really tempted to plant a staghound tree. I don't plan to because while I like them, they are a joy to see everywhere, and not something one struggles to find and enjoy, but this sort of 'browner' autumn they still glow while many other things are less fiery than they often are.


I also quite fancy a forest pansy. If I keep choosing deciduous trees I won't have room for the broadleaf evergreens I have better use for.

There is also a droopy scary looking ever green in a pot in local town I have surprised myself by liking. Its not my normal sort of tree. If I plant it I worry it will be as greedy as its brethren and make gardening in front of it so much harder........either way, in from if the 'tree bed' we plant we're planning seep hosing through summer for water attached to the bio disc

Rummer

OK I need to bounce some ideas off you all and I hope you will give me some guidance.

I have been offered a plot at an allotment at the end of my street :j Now I have yet to see it so have no idea what state it is in. However as some of you may remember OH and I have a difference of opinion in relation to the allotment idea. Talking to yourselves will help me organise my thoughts better and hopefully come to a decision.

In my mind I have a list of pros and cons:

Pros

• Growing space for large area requiring crops like potatoes/shallots etc
• Allows increased planting of soft fruits at home
• Social aspect ** really important to me atm
• Gets me away from the house
• Increased exercise
• Distance less than 5 mins walk
• Excellent allotment site
• I actually have the chance for a 1/2 plot
• Plot could be well tended and full (ok unlikely but you never know!)

Cons

• Cost - initially just under £40 then £30/year
• Our garden is not up to full growing capacity
• Health and new baby
• In our garden we do not manage the hedge or grass very well
• Plot could be a state and I will be too pregnant to do much over the winter

I really miss the community aspect I had when I had my horse and this is the closest and most affordable alternative I can think of which would get me outdoors, exercising and provide an opportunity to meet people.

When I had my DD I was up, out and about and just got on with life taking her with me and I am hopeful that this baby will be the same however I appreciate things may not go as smoothly.

The money is a concern as we are saving hard at the moment and it is unlikely to provide as good a return in food as cost to rent however the prospect of a social side and time filler might balance that out.

Sigh, I am normally so decisive about things like this however I am genuinely torn as in my mind the pros and cons pretty much balance.

Itismehonest

Oh, it's so hard to advise when we don't really know you, yours & where, Rummer.

At £40 per year it could pay for itself relatively quickly but you'd really need to commit to it & it may be (particularly if not in good shape) fairly hard going just when you may not feel up to it with Rumlet due & then small with the accompanying dodgy nights of sleep.

Best to go see exactly what you'd be taking on first & then decide what you think. It may be immaculate & a doddle ....... or it may be akin to the Rainforest & need attacking with a machete