Do It Yourself PV Panels and more

We just got back from a weekend deep in the woods of the western edge of the Adirondacks. For around 15 years I have been the camp cook for the FFA group that goes to FFA Camp Oswegatchie. The camp is very well run and maintained and we stay in a warm, huge cabin with dorms for both genders. The kitchen is large and up to date with things like a convection oven and new commercial dishwasher. The camp is located on a small lake and has something like 1200 acres to wander around on...athletic fields, dining halls cabins, luxurious bath house and much more. It is available for non-FFA use. The kids can choose from a variety of indoor (board games, reading, movies and interactive video games) and outdoor activities (ice skating, sledding, cross country skiing, nature hikes, etc.) We do semi-home-made food for them. I don't go whole grain nuts (yet), but try to hit a compromise with things like a mexican lunch buffet and home made lasagna.

The camp will be hosting two "build photovoltaic panels from scratch" workshops in March and April of this year. Right now it is limited to the school groups that have already signed up for them. If there is an interest additional workshops will be scheduled either there or here at Woodhenge. Our goal is to build several PV panels by soldering pre-tabbed pv cells into a configuration that will result in enough panels to power up several of the small cabins they have there. The cells will be encased in a home made frame and covered with class. The design I have in mind should make these units last as long as any commercially available units. The units will be about 2/3 cheaper than commercially available ones. We'll probably try to set a 'standard' of 100 watts, or so per unit to keep the panel size and weight manageable. I did a project like this years ago and the kids are more than able to handle the work involved. Scrounging will keep the prices low!

On Sunday we went to an "Ark" meeting directly from the FFA Camp. It was held at St. Lawrence Nurseries near Potsdam, NY. The Ark group is a spin off from a peak oil study and action group- and has a growing memebership- there were at least 40 people at this meeting.
Our topics of discussion and tours included:
*The upcoming Sustainability Fair to be held near Canton, NY this Fall
*How to use and maintain a 'family cow'
*A very detailed guided tour of the McKentley's renewable energy systems: Wind, photovoltaic,
hot water, wood gassification and more!
*Discussions and samples of home made cheeses with Camembert and Cheddar featured
*Tree pruning and grafting were discussed & demonstrated
*The amount of home made foods and great company with it's associated side conversations was and is the thing that makes this group so much fun to be a part of.

If you are interested in taking a photovoltaic panel building workshop or finding out more about the Ark group and it's meetings please contact me at jsjuczak@gisco.net

Pumping news:
The three Stainless steel and Brass pump kits have been spoken for. I have 4 of the stainless steel and PVC kits left. Production time is around 10 days so get your orders in if you are interested.