Alternative Energy

For anyone that has talked to me over the last couple of years knows that I would love to do more on the farm using the energy that is already present.  Some of my ideas include a lighted farm sign using solar panels (PV), use a water wheel pump to circulate fresh water from the creek to a drinking trough for the animals, and most recently, geothermal energy to create a chiller for the sheep's drinking water.

Here's how those ideas rank:

• Geothermal water chiller - This idea came about when Deb asked if there was a commercially available 'chiller' to keep the animal drinking water cool.  We have Icelandic sheep and cool water would go a long way during the hot humid summers we have in Ohio.  So I made one...and my first attempt is working. Click <here> to read more
• Circulating creek water up to a drinking trough - This idea will happen.  I have the pump and valve design done using PVC pipe and some lathe work.  The last hurdle is in designing a way to hold an undershot water wheel, in the creek flow, and capable of withstanding the significant change in water level that we see during the corse of a year
• Lighted sign using a photovoltaic array (PV) - although I like the idea, it is an expense that cannot be mounted at this time.  But here I figure time is on my side.  First off, we don't have a farm sign in the front pasture yet.  It is on my list of things to do.  In addition, the cost of batteries and PV arrays goes down every day.