Zen and the Art of Renewable Energy

[Timothy Barker]

Hmmm...was thinking on the bus today how important it is in attempting to solve these problems we all face today on a 'meta level'. That is, we have to detach ourselves from the immediacy - the here and now - of our lives, escape the everyday and reflect upon where we are going 'wrong'. And by 'wrong' I do mean applying some kind of moral inquiry to the problem at hand, as well as applying positively grounded problem-solving strategies.

For example, I had placed a solar panel outside as a means of helping charge the computer fan based wind turbine solution. Unfortunately though, the panel was not waterproof. Water seeped through the plastic casing in the panel and entered the inner electrical bits and pieces (i.e. got onto the solar arrays themselves plus entered the voltage choice switch). I took the whole assembly apart. I was hoping I could fix the parts that had become indundated by my liquid attacker! However, this proved impossible as the design just was not suited to withstand being outside - interior cardboard had become soaked and some of the conductors seemed to have corroded. Anyhow, the point is this was not a viable method to solve my problem. The approach was correct - DO NOT simply throw away a piece of equipment but try to repair it first.

And so, I started to look on the Internet for a cheap 9v solar array. This was my first port of call. Why? Because I am programmed by the society around me to always find the most 'cost'-effective solution to a problem. But, how do we measure cost? I made an inquiry as to the solar panel, re the dimensions and its ability to keep the water out. All good. And then my 'green conscience' kicked in (at last). The company producing these 'cheap' solar panels was based all the way over in Hong Kong. They were going to send the panel by air mail, a 'cheap' enough option - or was it?

Our whole philosophy at DIYNGO is to 'shop local'. Utilise whatever materials one can find to hand or re-use bits and pieces already lying around. Why? It simply avoids shipping stuff around the world all the time! Its a more sustainable solution!

So, I checked on the Internet and my local electronics store had a couple of the same solar panel units in stock. I got the bus down there, picked up the replacement piece of kit and, what do you know I had a replacement. However, the problem was still not solved as I needed to ensure that water didn't still enter the panel. I let my mind just drift off on that bus home and eventually an idea popped up to use a sealent - the kind one uses in a bathroom, for instance - to attempt to seal the gap around the edge of the solar panel. I popped into one of my local DIY stores, picked up the sealent for a few pounds and, hey presto, had a potential solution to my problem!

Gee, I was having fun too! :-))

So, I got home, applied the sealent and am waiting for it to dry. It might not work, first time at least. But I guess I'll crack the problem eventually. Then, I'll share it here! Everyone's a winner. Its not the least expensive solution in strict monetary terms. But, hey, its fun, its innovative and its green. OK, the replacement solar panel has come from China anyhow, but at least it probably came over in bulk?

The whole point is that we need to 'not-think' to solve most of these problems we're now facing. Let's try 'feeling' a little. For too long rationality has reigned supreme over our Earthly domain. Let's try to disengage a little - chill - as we attempt to right all these past misdemeanours. Go with the flow and lets' see where it go. End of story? No...