What did you do in the garden today?

[jerryse]

Grafted some trees today . I have plants and seeds due for delivery today .

 

[WthrLady]

putting up shade cloth in the hoophouse. Glory it's hot work. And it's a trick not to squish plants.
Irrigation is set up, but the new heads dribble not spray, which is ok. I'll still water once a week by hand if needed.
Walked the orchard and stapled down the loose main lines. The lines still need run and checked, but it's too warm to do that today.
Inside sipping water under the fan for just a bit.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Ah, OK...so you're grid-tied, which is sort of a virtual battery bank (in that your excess electricity generation isn't being wasted). But yeah, batteries are still the weak link in the solar chain in so far as they're still quite expensive and relatively inefficient. The panels and other components have improved dramatically over the past decade or so though.

Yeah, the current batteries are $10k each, can only run a few items and only last 7 yrs. I'd need at least 3 for basic necessities. That's an extra $30k! The next generation batteries are half the cost, more efficient, and expected to last 30 yrs but won't be available for 3 yrs yet. A generator backup costs $11k and can support the entire load, if needed.

 

[TJAnonymous]

I would love to get solar here but we have too many trees.

This is actually caused a bit of contention between DH and me. He wants the panels on the roof but they think our trees surrounding the house will limit the efficiency. The installer proposed a ground mount system instead but my DH is being difficult about it because he thinks it will be in the way. Plus it's an extra $13/ft for installation over 150 ft from the house.

 

[DParker75089]

Yeah, the current batteries are $10k each, can only run a few items and only last 7 yrs. I'd need at least 3 for basic necessities. That's an extra $30k! The next generation batteries are half the cost, more efficient, and expected to last 30 yrs but won't be available for 3 yrs yet. A generator backup costs $11k and can support the entire load, if needed.

Just out of curiosity, what is your typically daily load in kWh? And what batteries are you looking at that are $10K each?

 

[TJAnonymous]

Just out of curiosity, what is your typically daily load in kWh? And what batteries are you looking at that are $10K each?

It's a 17.82kW system which will run our house, barn, and shop. Our monthly usage can run around 1200-1400k on the low end to as much as 2700k during the hottest part of the summer.

And I'm not sure which batteries they were quoting.

 

[DParker75089]

It's a 17.82kW system which will run our house, barn, and shop. Our monthly usage can run around 1200-1400k on the low end to as much as 2700k during the hottest part of the summer.

And I'm not sure which batteries they were quoting.

I ask because you can get good 5.12 kWh rack-mount Li-FePo batteries for $1,800-$2,000 each.

 

[Fishychix]

putting up shade cloth in the hoophouse. Glory it's hot work. And it's a trick not to squish plants.
Irrigation is set up, but the new heads dribble not spray, which is ok. I'll still water once a week by hand if needed.
Walked the orchard and stapled down the loose main lines. The lines still need run and checked, but it's too warm to do that today.
Inside sipping water under the fan for just a bit.

I bought shade cloth for the run but wonder what to do about the rain sincevthe rabbits are in the run. It seems they always manage to get wet but the share cloth had to replace the ugly and also worn out tarps. Suggestions? (Besides a bunny barn, working on that)

 

[Desertvalleychickens]

Just planted some corn! Also got some evil caterpillars off of my sugar snap peas... I let my chickens out to eat the weeds near my fruit trees.

 

[samdrussell]

Today, I planted some raspberries, sweet mint and watermelon coleus. I bought them at a local tractor supply. Other than that I made sure everyone had a good drink. I have so tomatoes I’m waiting on to ripen.