I am hanging out for rain. The hydro system is on the smallest nozzle to cope with the smallest flow and down to 25% capacity. A feeble amount of water is overflowing the weir and when that is gone in a few days, shut down is imminent. The hydro has been operating 24/7 for 30 years with only a total of 4 weeks shut down. It is all the original equipment and you could say I have recovered my investment costs. maybe the solar panels can get me through. The leaves underfoot are crunchy in the rainforest. The wild ginger is furling its leaves in self-defense. Even the leeches have retreated to sulk until the rains arrive. The storm season has failed so far though there is always the possibility of major downpours.
If I have to shut down the hydro, and the sun doesn’t shine to on the solar panels, I can still provide electricity to the property by patching in a generator for a few hours at night for peak consumption. But if one is dedicated to green power, it is such a clumsy and inelegant solution. Still 4 weeks in 30 years isn’t too bad. I would say that my stand-alone system is more reliable than the mains. I haven’t actually been without power in those 30 years. Most of the district had no power for 4 weeks after cyclone Larry. Like camping but at home. Alternative power really does work, and a hybrid system is more flexible.
I confess to being an i-plonker. I can’t seem to get up a comments button so you can reply. Sorry. I am awaiting the arrival of nerdy gifted friends to bail me out.
Looks like the test worked. 🙂