Tony
From 1986 to 1989, I constructed a two-bedroom house with some assistance. At that time, solar power was too expensive for me at $10 per watt, so I installed 5mm copper gas lines throughout the house. These lines powered propane gas lights and a gas bar fridge. Entertainment was provided by a radio, CDs, and a turntable.

In 1994, I got married. My wife was understanding and lived without the convenience of electric lights and television. However, after 11 years, we needed electricity for a larger fridge, TV, and video player. Alas there were no gas TV’s available 🙁
In response, Menzies of Colac installed six 75-watt solar panels in our home. This 600-watt system was sufficient for our small house, which was heated and powered by a wood stove that I had been using since 1987. The stove was used for cooking, heating, and providing hot water during cooler weather.
To fuel the stove, I planted carbon-neutral black wattles in 1982 and more in the 1990s. We stored the sun’s energy in National batteries (12 units, each 2 volts and 24 watts), which required regular topping up with distilled water.

By 2015, our energy needs had increased, so we added three more solar panels to our roof, each with a capacity of 250 watts. This brought our total solar capacity to 1,350 watts across nine panels. We also had to replace a third of our batteries that were no longer holding charge. We opted for 12 new Hoppecke gel batteries, a lead-acid type (2V, 682 AH, C10/847 AH C100). The cost for the batteries and additional panels, including parts and labor, was $10,000.

Our off-grid solar power system has served us well, although we still rely on a gas fridge. It would be ideal if a low-energy fridge was available. Our Esse Ironheart stove, which works in tandem with our solar electricity and solar hot water system, has been very effective. There’s no need to light the stove in hot weather. The stove not only cooks our food but also heats our water and our well-insulated small house, which has windows facing east and north, covered by a veranda.Our solar hot water system, a UK-made Thermomax evacuated tube type installed in 1987, is well-suited to the Otways climate. Despite most of the 20 tubes losing their vacuum, it still functions well after 36 years.
In my view, the future should be filled with small, well-built houses like ours, equipped with solar electricity and solar hot water systems. They are not only efficient but also environmentally friendly.