Earth Deeds: Solar Powered Homestead, A Way We Care for the Earth
As humans in this day and age it can be difficult to know if our actions make a difference.
This week’s contest by @elamental reminds us that we can indeed make a difference, whether small or large, in helping the earth.
In the #earthdeeds contest, he asks us to share what we’re doing in our lives to make a positive shift for the earth, reduce our carbon footprint and generally be better humans for the next 7 generations.
Solar panels on our solar shed made mostly from materials from our land. The roof obviously is not, yet metal roofs are an environmentally sound option, comparably speaking.
Today the sun was shining brilliantly.
Winter is on its way and we’ve had some powerfully overcast days. We felt inspired to highlight our solar system and talk a bit about that.
In today’s earth deed share we talk about why we decided to go with solar, what inspired us to do so and we also talk about about the “building footprint” of the shed the solar panels are on and other components are stored in.
Cedar paneling on this building is made from the cedar tree (now a stump) in front of it.
The building is in fact sided from the cedar stump you see right in front of the building! We sought to make it as local and natural as possible. Every mile that a semi doesn’t have to truck wood is beneficial. Every log we can sustainably harvest from our land that doesn’t have to come from Canada is beneficial.
Batteries, charge controller, inverter and other solar components.
We have learned to take stock of how much energy our system is bringing in and able to hold to know how to balance our energy needs.
Sometimes that means not using a certain appliance if the sun is not out. Homeowners hooked into the grid can also think of ways to reduce their appliance needs and can greatly reduce their energy intake.
Devastatingly, most of the energy farms in the United States still rely on antiquated, earth destructive and inefficient sources like coal. In the video I talk a bit about Mountaintop Removal in the Appalachians and how that inspired me to get “off grid”.
We grow a lot of our own food. This is adjacent to the solar shed and panels.
While getting completely off grid was a goal of ours, it is only one example of ways humans can make a positive impact for the environment. As @elamental says, whether large or small, our deeds matter and by sharing them we can inspire others.
Make sure to check out this contest and other #earthdeeds endeavors!
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You two are so inspiring. You're helping me build up momentum behind my desire to get off grid myself someday... not too distant future. Just have to be sure where I want to settle.
Thank you dear 💙 so happy to hear our offerings are helping u build momentum. That’s what it’s all about!! So wise to really take time to decide where you want to settle. No doubt once you know you’ll be manifesting it in no time ❤️
Awesome work y'all. You to are inspiring ... Keep sharing awesome tips puhhlleeeeeezeee 😁😁
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😄💙💙 with pleasure!! Thanks for the encouragement and love 💚💚
Wow. I love your solar energy shed.
I really appreciate you sharing this because I also want to use solar panels in for our home here in El Salvador where we get more than enough sun all year round.
I love reading peoples experiences and stories about it so that I can learn more about it.
Thank you @mountainjewel
Awesome and that’s great to hear! We love using this as our energy system. I did a detailed post on the components a while back. If you’re interested I can find it :)
Awesome. We were waiting for the Tesla battery to come down in price to do the house but they just put price up!!! We really need to get our solar sorted and it's ridiculous we haven't. We always had solar when we lived in vehicles.
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wow! tesla battery is next level!!!! solar is much easier than people think and yeah perfect for traveling caravans, of which you two are boss pros at! xoxo looking forward to seeing your tesla battery in action
Ha well it's also most efficient and long lasting battery wise for this house! And makes house more saleable when and if we sell. Just need time to organise it. We need to do our solar hot water system too. Just struggling with cash though.
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Thank you every little bit helps. As Buckminister Fuller said do more with less. Toby
exactly. wise man, wise words. thanks.
how do you heat your water? do you use solar water heaters?
not yet, that is a goal for our house we are building next year. right now we use propane on demand and only heat water for a shower (which we'll be putting away in a few days before the outdoor frost.) then we'll heat it on the stove.
As always, you two are so inspiring in helping our first mother and reminding us we are all one.
I had never heard of mountaintops being flattened like that.
Thanks for the video
I remember this project of yours. Amazing. Always love what you guys are doing!
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thank you dear! <3 appreciate your words of encouragement.
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You two are so well spoken and articulated in your video. I honestly could not have explained the purpose of reporting on Earth conscious actions better myself. I felt like I was watching a new psychic permaculture version of Reading Rainbow it was so well done. I definetly felt a strong etheric connection when hearing you two speak about this.
Thank you so much for participating in this weeks contest, you truly are an energetic sign for sustainable practices, and am honored to be here with you to help lift the weight of this "burden" of healing Mother Gaia. If you could, I would like to obtain a more permanent version of this video file for future use as an example of an #earthDeeds post in the entry articles. Dtube videos have a tendency to stop working after a week or so.
Harnessing solar energy is literally one of the best ways to let the Earth heal. If the universe did not want us to have unlimited sustainable energy, it wouldn't have put a gigantic fusion reactor three spheres away.
Unfortunately most people do not yet have the money, space, and/or will to invest in solar energy yet. However if you own your own land in the country, and are not completely broke, there should be no excuse to not have some kind of solar set up to assist with your energy needs. Outstanding entry you two. I greatly hope you will continue to participate in future #EarthDeeds contests, your energy is greatly appreciated, needed, and wanted here. Blessings friends.
thank you so much for your kind words. they're inspiring to read how you see/perceive us and encourages us to keep on going and especially to keep sharing!!
yes, we'll be able to put a higher quality version onto youtube by early next week and can notify you when we do.
agreed that solar can be a cumbersome switch for individuals to make, especially if they live in cities, rent or don't own their land. we have the blessing and opportunity to go full throtttle and caring for the earth is one of the biggest motivators of our actions in this lifetime. we hope to teach and inspire others. thanks for encouraging us on our way! blessings.