Thursday, February 18, 2010

Power To My People

This is what runs this whole place. Eight happy solar panels and a whirring wind generator. Honestly, it should be law for folks living out here to run off the grid (along with the assistance to make it feasible). With ever present trade winds and sunshine practically all the time, there is power to spare and power to share. It hasn't been much of a change for Zach and I, since the boat is also run off solar power (except when we plug in winter heaters or the rare summer air conditioning). So we know the drill about turning off lights, unplugging things, and just being mindful of our electric consumption. We have to wait for a super sunny/ windy day to do laundry since the washing machine (even being a super efficient one) is one of the highest power draws. And why anyone in this area would own a clothes dryer is beyond me!?
My dad also set up a rain catchment system, but it doesn't have the proper filters and pumps to be used as household water. So aside from a pretend ocean for little leaf boats, it gets used for the garden and the animals.
I love seeing Zach absorb the magical combination of living off the grid with the added bonus of farm life (collecting eggs to eat, picking fruit for "breakfast ice cream", caring for the animals) to experience what it's like to really live off the land. Now that's what I call a fabulous winter term of kindergarten!

(we're off to the volcano with some friends for a few days... see ya on the flip side)

9 comments:

Lily Boot said...

I have so loved reading your posts from Hawaii - it is such a wonderful and magical place. I think your photos and all the sunnyness are really reminding me that I'm a tropical girl at heart :-) You and Zach seem to belong there on that farm. Enjoy!

Kimberly said...

Enjoy the volcano! We will look forward to seeing the sites on your next post. Have a lovely time.

Seven C's said...

What a fantastic system! It would be wonderful to have even a portion of the energy resources available there. Here in Oregon, we live in an area that is rated one of the lowest wind resource areas in the US. And with the cloud cover so common here coupled with the somewhat higher latitudes, our solar would not be all that efficient, although certainly doable!
Our next place is going to be off the grid to start with and then evaluate if we need more than what we can generate.

Joy said...

Love the boats Zach made. I'm glad you've enjoyed your sunny winter. :) Have a great time exploring the volcano!

Little Lovables said...

what a wonderful environment to live in!

christine ~ ourdayourjourney said...

a fabulous winter term indeed.!!!

gardenmama said...

I am absolutely loving your Hawaii posts! Oh, it looks and sounds so incredible. Enjoy this sweet time! xo

Cam said...

Have fun at the volcano!!

It's so weird that I click on over here & you are posting about sustainability because I spent the day researching The Farm in Summertown, Tn! I'm looking around right now at what needs to be liberated from our lives...the dryer? the tv we just use to watch movies? hmm...

Of course, when you come back, we'll need to see some evidence of this "volcano", right? Make sure you're not just out lounging on the beach somewhere...lol.

Masasa said...

Awesome! I agree it looks like a fabulous K winter term.

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